The tension arose after students attempted to recite the Hanuman Chalisa near a mosque inside the college premises, following a large gathering of Muslims who offered namaz at the mosque on Friday.

We have no problem if the students here offer namaaz or worship in the mosque or temple on the college premises. But we do not accept that outsiders are gathering here in the name of offering namaz on the college premises,

Seven people were detained briefly for chanting the Hanuman Chalisa outside a mosque at Uday Pratap College in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, PTI reported. The incident occurred as other students were offering namaz at the mosque.

A significant gathering of Uday Pratap College students in Varanasi recited Hanuman Chalisa near a mosque on campus amidst tensions over land ownership and communal harmony following recent Muslim prayers.

Student leader of Uday Pratap College claimed Hanuman Chalisa was recited on Tuesday to protest against "outsiders" gathering at the mosque to offer prayers.