New Delhi, September 4, 2025
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday declined to entertain a writ petition filed by the Sam Higginbottom Educational and Charitable Society and the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (SHUATS) alleging that miscreants had forcefully installed idols of Lord Ganesha inside the University campus in violation of its Christian minority character.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and also comprising Justice K. Vinod Chandran dismissed the plea under Article 32 of the Constitution, while granting liberty to the petitioners to approach the Allahabad High Court under Article 226 jurisdiction.
The writ petition was filed by the Society and the University through Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, assisted by AOR Pallavi Sharma, seeking immediate protection of the minority status and autonomy of the institution.
The plea alleged that on August 29, 2025, a group of disgruntled ex-employees and outside miscreants forcefully installed an idol of Lord Ganesha inside the Dean’s office of the Biotechnology Department, despite earlier rejection of proposals to hold Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations within the campus.
The petition highlighted that:
• The University was established as a Christian Minority Educational Institution and its founding statutes mandated strict adherence to Christian principles.
• The conduct of the miscreants amounted to a systematic attempt to destroy the minority character of the University.
• The offending group even commenced religious ceremonies, allegedly compelling students, including those of other faiths, to participate, thereby infringing upon their constitutional rights.
• Despite representations made to the police, no action was taken by State authorities, reflecting bias and abdication of constitutional duty.
Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave submitted that:
“It is a systematic effort in the State to destroy the minority character of this University. Despite our representations to the police, no action has been taken. The idol was installed in the Dean’s office in clear violation of our institution’s statutes.”
Dave further argued that the police inaction amounted to state complicity, as law enforcement was “controlled by the State” and was deliberately ignoring the violation.
The petitioners stressed that the act constituted a direct infringement of Article 30(1) of the Constitution which guarantees minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
The petition sought the following reliefs:
1. Writ of Mandamus directing the State of Uttar Pradesh and its authorities to act upon the representation dated August 29, 2025, and protect the minority character and autonomy of SHUATS.
2. Directions restraining ex-employees, outsiders, and miscreants from organising or attempting to organise any religious activity within the University campus in violation of its declared Christian ethos and policies.
Supreme Court’s Order
The bench, however, expressed disinclination to entertain the writ petition under Article 32 jurisdiction. CJI Gavai observed:
“We are not inclined to entertain this Article 32 petition. The petitioner has the liberty to approach the High Court under Article 226 jurisdiction.”
Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed, with the petitioners being directed to seek relief before the Allahabad High Court.
Case Details
• Title: Sam Higginbottom Educational and Charitable Society & Anr. vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.
• Case No.: W.P. (Crl.) No. 000354 of 2025
• Filed By: Sam Higginbottom Educational & Charitable Society, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (SHUATS)
• Represented By: Sr. Adv. Siddharth Dave, AOR Pallavi Sharma
