# Congress alleges IIM Jammu fined students absent at PM birthday event 2026-09-19T12:41:47+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain has alleged that IIM Jammu sent notices to students who missed a mandatory 'Deepak Lighting Ceremony' held on September 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, warning of a Rs 500 fine if they failed to reply. Hussain shared a screenshot of a purported email stating that exemptions would be considered only on medical grounds with a note from the central telemedicine service Sanjeevni. The Congress MP said the institute should nurture independent minds, not compel attendance at political celebrations. IIM Jammu authorities did not immediately respond to Times of India's request for comment. However, ABP Live reported that Brigadier Neeraj Soni, chairperson of student affairs at IIM Jammu, said no students were penalised and called it a normal measure to ensure holistic participation, similar to events on Independence Day or Gandhi Jayanti. The event was part of the BJP's month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' celebrating Modi's birthday and 25 years in public life. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Times of India and The Hindu reported the Congress allegation without IIM's immediate comment, while ABP Live included the institute's denial that any student was fined. ABP Live's coverage also gave context that the event was part of a BJP campaign and that teachers in BJP-ruled states were asked to stay late. The Congress framing led with the complaint of compulsory political celebration, the ABP Live version balanced that with the administration's assertion of routine practice. The key difference is whether the fine was enforced or merely threatened: the institute says it was not levied, a fact the Congress claims rely on the notice alone. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with Congress allegation, no IIM comment included - thehindu.com (neutral report) Leads with Congress criticism, includes notice text, no IIM denial - news.abplive.com (neutral report) Reports both allegation and IIM denial with context of BJP campaign Tags: Congress, IIM Jammu, Narendra Modi, Syed Naseer Hussain Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/iim-jammu-fines-students-who-missed-pm-modi-birthday-event-congress-alleges/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/iim-jammu-fines-students-who-missed-pm-modi-birthday-event-congress-alleges/#story-in-brief