Ban on Peaceful Recitation of ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ in NIT Hostel in Warangal (Andhra Pradesh)

Complaint lodged by ‘Legal Rights Protection Forum’ against this with Human Rights Commission

Warangal (Telangana) – In the hostel of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), students used to read Hanuman Chalisa for 15 minutes in the evening every Tuesday for about a year. This was not associated with any organisation or political faction but it was a peaceful religious act associated with the students’ personal faith. Even then, the management of the institute ordered to stop it. Later, on 23.02.2026, ‘Legal Rights Protection Forum (Forum)’ has lodged a complaint with the national human rights commission against the ban. It has been mentioned in the complaint that the institute’s management stopped the students from peacefully reading ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and violated their religious rights.

Religious Freedom Curtailed at NIT Warangal? 🚩

Reports say chanting the Hanuman Chalisa has been banned inside hostel premises at NIT Warangal, Telangana.@lawinforce has moved the @India_NHRC, questioning how such a restriction can stand when the Constitution guarantees… pic.twitter.com/0iN69xCAIa

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 24, 2026

1. Recently, few videos of this reading were posted on the social media and then, on 17.02.2026, the institute ordered the students to stop collective reading. The students have been warned by the institute management of disciplinary action if such religious gathering was held again, including eviction from the hostel.

2. The Forum has also mentioned in the complaint that earlier, permission was being granted to similar programmes held by non-Hindus in the area such as ‘Namaz’-offering by Muslims and programmes of Christians; therefore, imposing ban only on reading of ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ is against the principle of equality.

3. In its complaint, the Forum has demanded action against NIT, Warangal’s director Prof Bidyadhar Subudhi, the chief hostel superintendent Prof P Abdul Azim and students welfare dean Prof Kiran Kumar. The decision of the management is against the religious freedom granted under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution; therefore, the Forum has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission to intervene in the matter, conduct independent inquiry and stop opposing students from peacefully performing a religious act.

Editorial Perspectives

• There is freedom to follow own religion even to students under the Indian Constitution. Then, how can such ban be imposed ?
• Such ban in an education institute run under the aegis of the Central Government ruled by BJP is not expected by Hindus.