Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi had a close relationship with Aligarh and Aligarh Muslim University. During the freedom movement, he visited Aligarh many times. AMU's Maulana Azad Library has letters and photographs adorning his memories. The AMU Student Union gave him the first-lifetime membership. On Mahatma Gandhi's appeal, students burnt foreign goods and clothes inside the campus.

Mahatma Gandhi was the first time visite to MAO (Mohammadan Anglo Oriental) College in 1916. He stayed in Nishat Kothi where the Aligarh Public School is today. The second time he visited Aligarh and AMU was on 12th October, 1920. The students then gave him the Lifetime Membership of the Student Union. Gandhiji was the first person to get this lifetime membership. Mahatma Gandhi said that the goal of getting freedom will not be difficult if the students join him, after which many students of AMU jumped into the freedom movement.

When Gandhiji came to Aligarh, he stayed in the house of Abdul Majid Khwaja. The building is today known as the UGC Academy Staff Club. Abdul Majeed Khwaja studied at MAO College. Khwaja also taught in the Law Department when the college was granted AMU status in 1920. Gandhiji laid the foundation of Jamia Milia Islamia in Aligarh, among its founding members was Abdul Majeed Khwaja as well but later it was established in Delhi. During the Swadeshi movement, Bapu appealed to the students to use Khadi. Foreign clothes were burnt by the students on Gandhi's appeal. Former AMU student Hasrat Mohani promotes the swadeshi movement by opening the Khadi store in the Rasalganj area.

Every year on Gandhi Jayanti, an exhibition of letters, photographs, and books related to Bapu was put on display in the Maulana Azad Library of AMU. This time the exhibition will be held but people will not be able to watch it live due to Corona. AMU Spokesperson Prof. Shafe Kidwai told that an online arrangement were made to see this exhibition.