The tension at Muvattupuzha Nirmala College, which is run by the church, over a demand from a section of students to create a separate room for Friday prayers has ended.

According to the college management, the Mahal committee denounced the demand and assured to discourage activities that disturb the harmonious atmosphere of the institution, reported The News Indian Express.

A section of students recently protested in front of the principal's room and alleged that some female students were prevented from performing prayer in the waiting room of the institute.

Amid tension, Mahal committee leaders, including general convener K M Abdul Majeed and Muslim League Muvattupuzha mandalam president P A Basheer, visited the college on Monday and interacted with management members.

“The demand for a prayer room at the college was raised without the knowledge or consent of the Mahal Committee. The name of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) was dragged into the row with an ulterior motive. The Muslim community in Muvattupuzha wants to protect communal harmony and won’t support such moves,” Basheer old the newspaper.

The Committee did not support the demand to create a separate prayer room on the college campus and instead agreed to make arrangements for it in a nearby mosque.

“The MSF does not support the protest. We will not support any move that would disturb harmony on the campus,” MSF district president Rameez Muthirakalayil told The News Indian Express.

Principal Fr Justine Kannadan told the newspaper that some students, who participated in the protest, have apologised for their act to him.