An online petition has been started against Jamia Millia Islamia’s decision to honour Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is to visit India.
On May 1 Jamia is to confer on Erdogan the Degree of Doctor of letters (Honoris Causa) in a special Convocation.
“We, students, alumni, faculty and well wishers of Jamia are deeply disturbed at reports that the Jamia is planning to felicitate Erdogan during the course of his upcoming State visit to India.
“We condemn this move, if it is true, and urge you (the V-C) and the university authorities to cancel this decision. Erdogan, who has won a flawed and fraudulent plebiscite in order to crown himself the unchallenged dictator of Turkey, is a toxic influence in Turkish public life, in West Asia and in the world at large. He has stifled dissen,” read the petition addressed to university Vice-Chancellor Professor Talat Ahmad.
