An advocacy organisation, the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), has formally approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi with a serious complaint concerning events at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal in Telangana. The group has alleged that the institute violated fundamental rights and discriminated against religious activities connected to Hinduism.

The matter, according to LRPF, relates to the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa by students inside the campus hostel. In a public statement shared on social media on 23rd February (Monday), the organisation stated: “As per information received, students at hostel 1.8K had been peacefully reciting Hanuman Chalisa every Tuesday for nearly a year without complaint. However, after a video surfaced on social media, the administration allegedly intervened on 17 Feb 2026 and stopped the activity, warning students of disciplinary consequences,” the outfit wrote on social media on 23rd February (Monday).

The complaint suggests that the weekly recitation had been taking place quietly and regularly, without disturbance or objection, for almost a year. The turning point, as described by LRPF, came only after a video of the activity began circulating on social media platforms. Following this, the administration is said to have stepped in and taken action on 17 February 2026, bringing the practice to a halt and cautioning students about possible disciplinary steps.

At the same time, LRPF has raised concerns about what it describes as unequal treatment of different religious practices within the hostel premises. The organisation claimed that space is provided for namaz and that senior officials are involved in preparations for Christian celebrations, including the “NITMAS” Christmas event. Based on this, the group has urged the NHRC to frame guidelines for what it called an impartial and independent investigation into the reported restrictions on the “peaceful religious practice of Hindu students” at the institute.

Expanding on its demands, the organisation further stated: “We have also requested that campus rules be applied equally to all religious activities, without discrimination or selective enforcement. Additionally, we have sought protection for students who participated in the Hanuman Chalisa recitation to ensure that no retaliation or academic action is taken against them.”

In its submission, LRPF has specifically addressed NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, requesting an unbiased inquiry into the conduct of several senior officials of the institute. The complaint names Dean (Students Welfare) Professor Kiran Kumar, Chief Warden Professor P Abdul Azeem, and Director Professor Bidhyadhar Subudhi, and seeks an impartial investigation into their alleged actions in the matter.

The written complaint explains that every Tuesday at 7:00 pm, students would voluntarily assemble for approximately 15 minutes to recite the Hanuman Chalisa. It describes the activity as non-formal, initiated by students themselves, conducted peacefully, and without any political links. According to the complaint, it was only after the video of the recitation gained attention on social media that the management intervened.

The communication further alleges that the officials and faculty members mentioned in the complaint entered the dormitory and instructed the students to immediately stop the weekly recitation. It claims that the students were warned of strict disciplinary action, including rustication, if they did not comply with the directive.

The complaint also raises constitutional concerns. It argues that allowing certain religious practices while restricting others could potentially violate Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Constitution of India, and may amount to uneven enforcement of institutional policies. It further points out that NIT Warangal, being a centrally sponsored educational institution functioning under the Ministry of Education, falls within the definition of a “state” under Article 12 of the Constitution. As such, the institute, according to the complaint, carries a responsibility to safeguard fundamental rights.

With the matter now placed before the NHRC, the issue awaits further examination as the rights body considers the request for an independent inquiry into the allegations raised by LRPF.