Fast for cow shelter in a journalism university — by Congress’s student wing

Pathan has also said the protest had the blessings of senior Congress leaders in the state.

“The fast received political backing from Bhopal North MLA Atif Aqueel, who interacted with the protesting students through a video call. Calling the demand for a gaushala justified, he announced that he would donate a cow towards the initiative. Former minister P C Sharma also extended his support, saying that the construction of a cow shelter is not only a matter of faith, but is also linked to environmental protection, compassion, and social responsibility,” Pathan said.

The Journalism department of the university issued a notice to Pathan, seeking an explanation after photographs surfaced showing him participating in the demonstration.

The notice issued by Dr Rakhi Tiwari, the head of the Journalism Department, read, “The university administration has received photographs in which you are seen sitting/lying near the statue of Dada Makhanlal Chaturvedi, along with other students, during a protest programme. You are hereby directed to clarify whether prior permission was taken for holding or participating in the said protest at the aforementioned place.”

The notice further directed the student to submit documentary proof, if any, of permission granted by the authorities. “You are instructed to submit a copy of the permission, if available, to the department by 10.30 am on February 17, 2026,” it said, adding, “The information received from you shall be forwarded to the University Disciplinary Committee for further necessary action.”

During the protest, Aman Pathan’s health deteriorated, prompting his admission to the university’s Dhanvantari Hospital, where doctors declared his condition stable after administering first aid.

University Registrar Dr P Sasikala later visited the students and assured them of a “sensitive dialogue” on the demand. According to the NSUI, Sasikala “pledged to convey the students’ demands to the university management” and assured them of a “positive solution” regarding the construction of a cowshed. The university is yet to respond to requests for comment.

A call for a gaushala, long seen as part of the ideological vocabulary of the BJP and its affiliates, has rarely featured in the Congress student wing’s campus politics.

NSUI leaders, however, have framed the demand as “humanitarian” rather than ideological. In a statement issued after the fast, NSUI said it had urged the university administration to “take an early decision on this public-interest and humane demand and initiate the process for construction of a gaushala within the university campus”.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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