Aligarh, Jan 4 (IANS) For the first time in its history, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has expelled 22 students for varying periods and imposed fine on 10 others, to send a message that there would be no compromise with discipline.
Last year, there were half a dozen incidents including murders, charges of rape, violence and demonstrations, which tarnished the image of the prestigious university.
The disciplinary committee set up by the AMU vice chancellor investigated the charges against all the 32 named in various reports and announced the punishment on Thursday.
The severity of the action has surprised many and sent shock waves among students groups.
The new Vice Chancellor Prof P.K. Abdul Azis, who moved over from Kochi to take up this challenging assignment, seems in no mood to let the rot continue.
“Hopefully the campus would return to its normal academic pursuits and the atmosphere improve drastically,” said a professor.
The AMU was established in 1920 by a great Muslim social reformer Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Many prominent Muslim leaders and Urdu writers and scholars of the subcontinent have graduated from the university.
It is a central residential university offering more than 250 courses in traditional and modern education. Of the nearly 30,000 students many are from abroad, including Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia.