By Suhail Mohammed
Aligarh : The Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) administration is busy preparing the ground to welcome the President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind as the Chief Guest of the 65th convocation of the university, to be held on 7th March.
AMU is set to be dressed in a bridal gown and tiny lights all over the corner will add to the charm. The University Road which runs through the campus is painted beautifully and so is the guest house. Preparations are in full swing and there is a race against time to get everything done ere the 7th of March. But one can also witness rage in the campus against the move as a major section of the students are opposing the proposed visit by the President.
Whilst walking across the University canteen behind the Maulana Azad Library, one can notice small groups of students debating and discussing the recent developments. Besides, many more can be seen displaying banners, posters and organising protest rallies in the campus opposing the President’s proposed visit.
The student union Secretary Mohammad Fahad has written to the AMU administration regarding the visit of President and warned that “no ‘sanghi’ politician would be allowed to enter the university premises and the students would stage a protest if this happens.”We are not opposing the President, we oppose the ‘sanghi’ mindset. Our President had given a statement about Muslims and Christians in 2010, saying ‘Muslims and Christians are alien to this nation.’ So, I would like to remind him that the statement still stings the students of Aligarh Muslim University, but we respect him as the President and welcome him, but at the same time, we also warn him that no ‘sanghi’ person accompanying him would be allowed inside the university premises. Those coming as per protocol can come,” the statement reads.
The Aligarh Muslim University Students Union (AMUSU) Vice President Sajad Subhan Rather in a statement said that either Kovind should accept his “mistake” and regret his 2010 statement that Islam and Christianity are alien to the nation or stay away from the convocation. Rather said, “If something adverse happens during the visit then the VC and the President will themselves be responsible for it. Students are angry and dissatisfied with the President’s visit due to his controversial statement regarding the community.”
The students’ leader added: “Either the President acknowledges that India belongs to all religions and everyone who lives here, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Christian, or he is not welcome to the campus. If the BJP government really wants to maintain peace and if President Kovind is committed to peace and diversity, then he should openly retract his 2010 statement.”
On the contrary, administration feels that the President’s proposed visit is apolitical. M Shafey Kidwai, AMU member in-charge of public relations said only the President has been invited for the convocation and it is a watershed moment for AMU as it will be only after 32 years that President is coming to the campus.
Taking a dig at the protesting students Aligarh SSP Rajesh Kumar Pandey said he has spoken to the VC and stern action will be taken against those who would try to disturb law and order during the President’s visit.
All the recent developments in the campus suggest that AMU has been the land where voices will be raised on every issues pertaining to the community and the students of this prestigious university are the ambassadors of the faith that upholds the tradition of the land.
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Suhail Mohammed is pursuing his graduation in English literature in Aligarh Muslim University. He takes keen interest in socio-political issues and can be reached @ sm4415008@gmail.com
President should come
AMU should welcome president
Long live AMU