In an unconventional move, Bethune College, Kolkata now gives its students an option of choosing ‘ Humanity’ as an option in the ‘religion’ section in their college application forms.

Established in 1878, Asia’s first Women’s College, Bethune’s initiative has been well received by the student community, many of whom do not wish to divulge their religion.

This addition was made in the college application forms on 27th of May when the admission process for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes were declared open.

“We have realised that some students are reluctant to mentioning their religion in the admission form. We appreciate their views as we feel that ‘Humanity’ is the true religion of mankind. So we have deliberately kept this category in the religion section . It was a unanimous decision on the part of our admission committee,” Mamata Ray, Principal of Bethune College told IANS.

Humanity, Hinduism, Islam, Christian, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Others are the options offered under the Religion column on the application form for students.

As religion is a mandatory section on any form, Bethune College is all set to break barriers and eradicate the compulsion.

Proud Alumini of Bethune College

The college alumni and students praised the move.

“Being an alumni of this college, I have always been proud of my institution. I welcome this revolutionary step with warm wishes. Humanity first, then comes everything else. We all are same and humanity should be cherished in every corner of the world. I thank and appreciate the professors for making us so proud to be a part of this institution,” Rwitabati Bhattacharya, an alumnus of Bethune College, Kolkata, told The Logical Indian.

Breaking Religious Barrier For Humanity



The college authorities said that the decision to include all options in the religion section was taken with the consent of the education fraternity to ensure that every individual, who is a non- believer, should be motivated to follow humanity as a religion.

The decision has won millions of hearts across the country.

The Logical Indian applauds the Bethune College for setting a precedent by juxtaposing ‘humanity’ with ‘religion’.

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