UP Governor Directs Medical, Dental Colleges To Set Up Religious Conversion Prevention Cells

Published 11 June 2026 · local

UP Governor Directs Medical, Dental Colleges To Set Up Religious Conversion Prevention Cells Published By, Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 07:20 IST All affiliated institutions

UP Governor Directs Medical, Dental Colleges To Set Up Religious Conversion Prevention Cells Published By, Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 07:20 IST All affiliated institutions have been asked to establish the cells at the earliest and submit compliance reports. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel (PTI) Taking serious cognisance of the alleged religious conversion case involving a resident doctor at KGMU and the disappearance of the daughter of an SGPGI employee, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has ordered all medical and dental colleges across the state to set up Religious Conversion Prevention Cells (Dharmantaran Roktham Cells), according to an official release. Acting on the governor’s directions, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University instructed all affiliated institutions to establish the dedicated cells.

The move followed a communication from the governor’s special officer on duty, Dr Sudhir M Bobde, directing the university to initiate necessary measures. Subsequently, the registrar of the university, acting on the instructions of vice-chancellor Amit Devgan, issued orders to affiliated colleges for the formation of the cells. The proposed bodies will focus on creating awareness among students, doctors and staff members and will also keep watch on any suspicious activities. Colleges have additionally been asked to organise awareness drives to familiarise stakeholders with relevant rules, rights and responsibilities. KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh said the medical university already has an Anti-Conversion Cell in place and will fully comply with the governor’s directions. All affiliated institutions have been asked to establish the cells at the earliest and submit compliance reports.

They have also been instructed to ensure immediate action on any complaints. The decision comes against the backdrop of alleged incidents in Lucknow that triggered a debate over safety mechanisms and monitoring within medical institutions. Meanwhile, according to a PTI report, police have launched a search for a 21-year-old woman whose father claimed she was forcibly taken away by an acquaintance for conversion. Based on the father’s complaint, an FIR was registered at the PGI police station on May 22 under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with kidnapping, abducting or inducing a woman to compel her marriage. In the complaint, the father alleged that his daughter had left for a market in Telibagh on May 21 after receiving a job call, but did not return.