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ALIGARH: Aligarh Muslim University seems to be in the line of fire with the Bharatiya Janata Party local unit now insisting that it will organise a function inside the campus to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jat leader Raja Mahendra Pratap inside the campus on December 1.
This has sparked off tensions in the University with AMU Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah writing a strongly worded letter to the Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani asking her to intervene and thereby avoid a potential confrontation.
The VC has pointed out in the letter that a “cordial” meeting was held between the two sides at his residence where they agreed to hold a joint celebration of the anniversary at the Tikonia ground, outside the campus to defuse the situation. However, later the BJP again insisted that the venue be changed to the AMU City High School with Lt Gen Shah pointing out that this could lead to a confrontation.
"I am writing to the HRD Minister to apprise her that the plans of certain elements at Aligarh to celebrate "Raja Mahendra Pratap Day" inside AMU Campus on 01 December 2014 (his anniversary) has potential of leading to massive student unrest on the AMU campus," the VC said in the letter.
"On 1st, we will celebrate his (Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh's) birthday. If the VC wants to celebrate in AMU, I welcome it. If that's not the case, then the BJP has decided that we will celebrate the birthday within AMU... No doubt about it,” BJP MP from Aligarh Satish Gautam said.
The latest controversy comes just days after the university was embroiled in a major row over not allowing some women students from entering the main library. Irani written to the VC saying keeping out women from the library was a "human rights violation" and had demanded a report on the matter. He had responded with letters explaining his position. However, following a directive from the Allahabad High Court the university had to revoke the position and allow library access to the girls.
At that time, however, the students and faculty supported the VC and held demonstrations across the campus attacking the media for selective coverage. And for again using the incident to project AMU in a regressive light. There was considerable anger and resentment in the campus, with several students and professors telling The Citizen that they were tired of being pillories and constantly projected as some backward institution.
The BJP announcement is being perceived as a deliberate confrontation, with the VC’s letter making it very clear of possible trouble ahead unless the political meeting is called off, or at least not held in the university campus.
