The Incident Unfolds at Vikram University

In the historic city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, known for its ancient temples and spiritual significance, a recent university examination has ignited a firestorm of debate. During a foundation course exam for third-year Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) students, a question perceived as religiously biased surfaced, prompting immediate backlash. The question, part of the Hindi subject paper, stated variations such as 'There is no one other than Allah' or in Hindi 'Koi bhagwan hai Allah ke siva?' (Is there any god other than Allah?), with multiple-choice options including Someshwar (a Hindu deity name), Khuda (God in Persian/Urdu), Shaktivan (The Powerful), and Dand Dene Wala (The Punisher). This phrasing, reminiscent of the Islamic declaration of faith 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no god but Allah), was seen by many as promoting one religion over others in a secular academic setting.

The exam paper quickly circulated on social media platforms, amplifying the outrage. Students and locals questioned how such a question could appear in a standard foundation course, which is designed under India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to foster value education, ethics, and cultural awareness without doctrinal bias. Foundation courses, typically mandatory for undergraduates, aim to build holistic competencies, including understanding India's diverse cultural fabric, but this instance crossed into what critics called proselytization territory.

Profile of Samrat Vikramaditya University

Samrat Vikramaditya Vishwavidyalaya, commonly known as Vikram University, traces its roots to 1957 when it was established by the Madhya Pradesh government. Named after the legendary King Vikramaditya, associated with Ujjain's rich astronomical and literary heritage, the university serves as a key higher education hub in the Malwa region. Spread across Ujjain, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur, and Agar Malwa districts, it oversees numerous affiliated colleges and offers a wide array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in arts, science, commerce, management, and more.

Accredited with a B++ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Vikram University falls in the 101-150 rank band in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 for universities. It caters to over 20,000 students annually, supported by hundreds of faculty members across its teaching departments and affiliated institutions. The university's emphasis on research, with centers for environmental studies and Sanskrit, aligns with Ujjain's status as a center of learning dating back to ancient times, when it hosted one of India's oldest observatories.

Despite its stature, Vikram University has faced scrutiny in recent years over administrative and academic issues, making this controversy particularly sensitive. Its location in a city revered by Hindus for the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple adds a layer of cultural context to the public reaction.

Decoding the Question and Its Context

Foundation courses in Indian universities, mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under NEP 2020, integrate interdisciplinary learning with modules on Indian knowledge systems, ethics, and constitutional values. These courses often include questions on cultural diversity, drawing from epics, philosophies, and religious texts to promote tolerance. However, the Vikram University question deviated by presenting a monotheistic Islamic tenet as a standalone assertion, with options that juxtaposed Hindu deity references.

For context, 'Someshwar' refers to Lord Shiva in his form as the Lord of the Moon, while 'Khuda' is a neutral term for God used in Urdu poetry. The other options evoke divine attributes common across religions. Critics argue this setup could mislead students or imply superiority of one faith, violating the secular ethos enshrined in Article 28 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits religious instruction in state-funded institutions.

Outrage from Hindu Organizations and Social Media

Hindu Jagran Manch, a prominent right-wing group, led the charge. District convener Ritesh Maheshwari demanded immediate action against the paper setter, threatening region-wide protests if ignored. District president Arjun Singh Bhadoria echoed calls for a transparent probe. Protests erupted in Ujjain and nearby Ratlam, with demonstrators highlighting perceived threats to Hindu sentiments in educational spaces.

Social media erupted with hashtags like #VikramUniversityControversy and #ExamQuestionOutrage, garnering thousands of shares. Posts ranged from demands for paper cancellation to broader critiques of religious infiltration in academia. While no widespread student protests were reported, anonymous campus forums buzzed with concerns over grading fairness, recalling a 2024 incident where a chemistry professor was accused of bias against Hindu students.

University Administration's Response

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arpan Y. Bhardwaj promptly directed the Controller of Examinations to submit a detailed explanation. Registrar Anil Kumar Sharma acknowledged the lapse, noting that while foundation papers routinely feature religion-related questions for cultural education, this one was 'neither expected nor appropriate.' An Examination Committee meeting addressed marking methodologies, contemplating nullifying Question 45 to avoid penalizing students. The professor's identity remains under wraps pending investigation.

The university urged calm, assuring stakeholders of adherence to protocols. No official press release has been issued on their website yet, but sources indicate a high-level review of paper-setting processes is underway.

Photo by Shreenivas RT on Unsplash

Student and Faculty Perspectives on Campus

Though direct student voices are limited in reports, many expressed confusion over the question's inclusion. One anonymous B.Com student shared on a local forum that it felt 'out of place' in a commerce foundation paper, potentially affecting answers regardless of intent. Faculty members, speaking off-record, emphasized the need for diverse paper-setting committees to prevent biases.

Past allegations at Vikram University, including low grades for non-Muslim students by a Muslim professor in 2024, have heightened tensions. An inquiry committee was formed then, underscoring recurring challenges in maintaining impartiality.

Recurring Themes: Similar Controversies in Indian Higher Education

This is not isolated. In July 2025, Vidyasagar University in West Bengal faced backlash for labeling freedom fighters as 'terrorists' in a history exam. Earlier, questions on cow slaughter sparked communal debates. Hijab and turban frisking during exams in MP and Karnataka highlighted religious symbol sensitivities. These incidents reveal systemic gaps in vetting exam content.

• 2025: Bengal university exam refers to independence activists as terrorists.
• 2024: Vikram University grading bias claims.
• Ongoing: Religious symbols in exam halls across states.

Foundation Courses: Balancing Culture and Neutrality

Under UGC guidelines, foundation courses (Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses or AECC) must promote Indian ethos without indoctrination. Step-by-step, paper setting involves subject experts drafting, moderation by committees, proofing, and printing. Lapses occur when unchecked biases enter, especially in value education modules drawing from diverse texts like Vedas, Quran, Bible, and Gita.

To explain: NEP 2020 envisions these as bridges to multidisciplinary learning, defining terms like 'Anekantavada' (Jain multi-perspective) for tolerance. Yet, concrete examples show risks when questions lack balance.

Challenges to Academic Neutrality and Proposed Solutions

Maintaining neutrality in pluralistic India demands robust safeguards. Challenges include subjective interpretations, lack of blind reviews, and cultural insensitivities. Solutions:

• Diverse Moderation Panels: Include experts from multiple faiths/backgrounds.
• AI-Assisted Vetting: Flag potentially biased phrases pre-print.
• Sensitivity Training: Mandatory for paper setters on secularism.
• Student Feedback Loops: Post-exam anonymous reporting.
• UGC Audits: Regular reviews of state universities.

Experts advocate for standardized question banks to minimize errors. For instance, a 2025 UGC report highlighted 15% of complaints in higher ed stem from exam irregularities.

Impacts on Stakeholders and Long-Term Implications

Students risk academic setbacks if questions are voided, affecting semester results. Faculty face reputational damage, potentially stifling open discourse. Institutions like Vikram risk enrollment dips in polarized climates. Broader implications: Erodes trust in public universities, vital for 40 million Indian students.

Statistics show India's gross enrollment ratio (GER) in higher ed at 28.4% (AISHE 2023-24), with state universities handling bulk. Controversies amplify calls for privatization, though public access remains crucial.

Photo by Carolien van Oijen on Unsplash

Path Forward: Reforms for Resilient Higher Education

As investigations conclude, Vikram University exemplifies the need for proactive reforms. Actionable insights include adopting digital paper platforms with AI checks and interfaith committees. Promoting constitutional values through balanced curricula can transform such incidents into teachable moments on secularism.

Stakeholders, from UGC to vice-chancellors, must prioritize transparency. For aspiring academics, resources like career advice on navigating sensitive topics are invaluable. Ultimately, Indian higher education's strength lies in embracing diversity without division.Vikram University Official Site