‘Allah Ke Siva Dusra Koi Nahi Hai’: Ujjain University Exam Question Sparks Controversy, Action Taken

A controversy has erupted at Samrat Vikramaditya University in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain after a question in a Foundation Course exam was found to be religiously sensitive.

The issue has sparked protests and drawn strong reactions from various groups.

What Was the Controversial Question?

The matter revolves around Question 45 in an exam taken by third-year students of B.Com, BBA, and Computer Science.

The question, written in Hindi, stated:

"Allah ke siva dusra koi nahi hai" (There is no one other than Allah), and asked students to choose the correct answer from options such as Someshwar, Khuda, Shaktivan, and "Dard dene wala".

The question quickly became controversial after a student raised concerns and the paper began circulating online.

Outrage and Protests in Ujjain

The issue led to widespread outrage, especially among Hindutva organisations, who accused the university of showing bias towards a particular religion.

• Several protests were held in Ujjain
• Right-wing leaders called the question a "planned attempt"
• Protesters demanded strict action against those responsible

Many groups also warned of stronger protests if action was not taken.

University Responds to the Controversy

The university administration acted quickly after the issue gained attention.

The matter was referred to the Examination Committee, which reviewed the question paper. According to Registrar Dr Anil Kumar:

• The controversial question was not part of the official syllabus
• It was reportedly added by the paper setter on their own

Based on the findings, the university issued a notice and initiated disciplinary action against the person responsible.

Relief for Students

To ensure that students are not affected by the controversy, the university has taken corrective steps:

• The controversial question has been removed from evaluation
• Students will be marked based on the remaining questions
• An extra mark will be awarded to compensate for the removed question

This decision aims to protect students from any academic loss.

The incident at Samrat Vikramaditya University highlights the importance of careful and responsible question-setting in academic institutions. While the university has taken prompt action, the controversy has raised broader concerns about maintaining neutrality and sensitivity in education.

The situation now appears to be under control, but it has sparked an important debate about accountability and inclusiveness in academic systems.