Archive · 20 Sep 2026
IIM Jammu Fine Threat Over Modi Birthday Absence Sparks Row
A lamp-lighting event was planned at IIM Jammu for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
A notice shared online reportedly said students had to attend.
Students who missed it were allegedly asked to explain their absence or pay ₹500.
The notice reportedly allowed medical exceptions only with special documentation.
Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain questioned why students should have to attend a political leader’s celebration.
One IIM Jammu student reportedly confirmed receiving the message.
An institute official said that no fine had been imposed but did not explain the notice.
Another report said the institute had not officially responded to the allegations.
The event was part of the BJP’s month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
A purported IIM Jammu student council communique allegedly made attendance at a September 17 lamp-lighting ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday mandatory.
Students who missed the event were reportedly asked to submit written explanations or face a ₹500 fine.
The notice reportedly allowed medical exemptions only with an official Sanjeevni or eSanjeevni note recommending bed rest.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain criticized the alleged requirement as political activity being imposed on students.
An IIM Jammu official reportedly said no fine had been imposed, while the institute otherwise did not publicly clarify the communique’s status.
- Who
- Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain raised allegations involving students and the Indian Institute of Management Jammu.
- What
- Students were allegedly required to explain their absence from a lamp-lighting event or risk a ₹500 fine.
- When
- The ceremony was scheduled for 7 p.m. on September 17, during celebrations of Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
- Where
- The controversy concerns the Indian Institute of Management Jammu.
- Why
- The event was organized as part of the BJP’s month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan celebrating Modi’s birthday and 25 years in public life.
Critics of Mandatory Attendance
Institute’s Reported Position
Whether attendance should be compulsory
Critics of Mandatory Attendance
Syed Naseer Hussain argued that students should not be forced to attend a Prime Minister’s birthday celebration and that such activity could undermine independent thinking at an educational institution.
Institute’s Reported Position
The purported student council communique reportedly marked the ceremony mandatory, but IIM Jammu’s official position on the document was not clearly provided.
Whether students faced a fine
Critics of Mandatory Attendance
Hussain and the purported notice alleged that absent students had to explain themselves or pay ₹500.
Institute’s Reported Position
An institute official reportedly said no fine had been imposed, although the official declined to provide details about the communique.
Role of political celebrations on campus
Critics of Mandatory Attendance
Hussain said BJP publicity events should be kept out of premier educational institutions.
Institute’s Reported Position
The ceremony was presented in the reports as part of the BJP’s Seva Sankalp Abhiyan; the institute did not publicly explain its role in the event.
- Alleged penalty
- ₹500 fine or a written explanation for absence
- Event
- Deepak, or earthen-lamp, lighting ceremony
- Scheduled time
- 7 p.m. on September 17
- Reported requirement
- Participation was described as mandatory in the purported communique
- Medical exemption
- An official Sanjeevni or eSanjeevni note recommending bed rest was reportedly required
- Political response
- Syed Naseer Hussain said educational institutions should not compel attendance at political leaders’ celebrations
- Institute position
- An official reportedly said no fine had been imposed; the institute did not otherwise clarify the communique in the reports
