By TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Aligarh/Lucknow: The pride of Muslims and inspiration for the youths—Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is in troubled water. The institution has seen bad days in the past but presently it is turning serious as the onslaught is from within its campus.
For the first time, the President of AMU Students Union Shehzad Alam is suspended and he is on a dharna demanding revoking of his suspension. The charges are grave including attacking VC Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah’s car and creating pandemonium while union minister Jitin Prasada was attending a function.
A few days back, Vice President Tauseef too was suspended on indiscipline but it was later revoked, and he is now acting president. Another former secretary Hammad Nabi is also under suspension.
VC Zameeruddin Shah had even met CM Akhilesh Yadav apprising him about the status in the campus. This is the first time that VC had discussed such things with CM of UP as AMU is a central university.
Not only this, the students were on warpath demanding that mandatory minimum attendance of 75 percent be waived off for appearing in examinations. A symposium which was attended by many leaders on the topic of restoration of minority character of the university saw a dharna outside the venue.
People were shocked when VC Zameeruddin Shah circulated open letter to the students and mentioned that a ‘katta culture’ prevails in the campus. In past fortnight at least three students were injured due to gunshots.
“We are really worried about the situation in the campus. It is not only a university but represents the Millat. I appeal to the students to help in restoring peace in the campus,” Hafiz Mohammad Usman, former president AMUSU and now a Samajwadi Party leader siad.
He also mentioned that students should not be justified when they agitate on attendance cause. “You have come here to study. You don’t attend class then it is unpardonable,” Usman remarked.
Another former president Nafees Ahmed claimed that he will surely take up the matter with higher authorities for bringing normalcy in the campus.
Some faculty members confided that things are turning worse due to students’ agitation. “They do not realise that our efforts go in vain when there is unrest in the campus. Students especially Muslims should realise that outside forces are just looking for a chance to foment trouble in the campus,” said a senior professor of the university.