Scottish Church Students Allege Pressure to Perform Modi-Centric Play

Students at Scottish Church College in Kolkata have raised objections to participating in a play on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public life, alleging that they faced repeated pressure and were warned of possible academic consequences if they refused. The college administration has rejected the charge and maintained that participation is voluntary.

The play, “NaMo Seva Gatha”, is scheduled at the college auditorium on September 29 as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, organised around Modi’s 76th birthday and his 25 years in public life. West Bengal has scheduled the campaign from September 17 to October 10, while the wider national campaign runs until October 17. Educational institutions have been asked to organise plays, drawing and elocution competitions and other activities highlighting Modi’s public service and the government’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

Students associated with the college’s drama club alleged that they were repeatedly asked to reconsider their refusal. One student claimed that during an online meeting on Thursday, they were warned that internal marks and project assessments could be affected. The student said the college’s approach changed after the issue was raised publicly in a college WhatsApp group. Principal Madhumanjari Mandal denied the coercion allegation, saying students had been approached to participate but those who declined were allowed to do so. She said the college was following Higher Education Department directions and that other students would perform the play.

The script has become a major source of contention. Reports say it presents a favourable account of Modi’s political and administrative career, covering his Gujarat tenure, Vibrant Gujarat, 2014 election victory, surgical strikes, Article 370, Covid vaccination, digital payments, Ram temple and Operation Ganga. It reportedly includes slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” and “Modi hai toh mumkin hai”, with some versions involving audience participation.

The production is part of a wider campaign being implemented across West Bengal schools and colleges, with institutions reportedly asked to organise performances and submit recordings. The controversy has also drawn political attention, with VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal questioning on X whether “Jai Shri Ram” was being restricted in Kolkata colleges.

Founded in 1830 and renamed in 1929, Scottish Church College has a long association with theatre and cultural figures including Badal Sircar and Manoj Mitra. The central allegation remains unresolved: students claim academic pressure was used to secure participation, while the college insists the choice was voluntary. No evidence has emerged that students’ marks were actually reduced. With the September 29 performance approaching, the dispute has widened into a debate over student autonomy, academic authority and political messaging in educational institutions.