UP varsities told to form anti-conversion cells

Uttar Pradesh's governor has ordered all higher education institutions to establish anti-conversion cells, known as "Dharmantaran Roktham Cells", to strengthen counselling services and prevent activities prohibited under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. The move has sparked a political row with the BJP supporting the directive and the opposition accusing the government of ignoring more pressing issues in higher education. The directive follows investigations into allegations of organised efforts to influence individuals for religious conversion at some universities.