In anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nod to be the chief guest, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has begun the preparations for its convocation in full swing. Hoping that the PMO will send a positive response to the invitation, the university has formed various committees to look after the preparations of the convocation.
Jamia media coordinator Mukesh Ranjan told The Pioneer that with the preparations having already begun, dates of the convocation would be out very soon.
“We would announce the dates shortly. We are following up with the PMO to get confirmation,” Ranjan said.
Ranjan added that committees -- including hospitality, receipt, seating and invitation -- have begun preparation for grand convocation ceremony in which around 4,000 people are expected to participate.
“We extend invitation to various dignitaries -- including Ministers. We will see if any special arrangements would be made for the PM... We are going ahead with the preparations with complete hope that his approval comes,” he added.
last year, President Mukherjee was the chief guest at the convocation of the university, which was founded in 1920 and became a central university in 1988.
The invitation assumes significance as Modi had attacked Jamia in 2008 after the Batla House encounter in September that year. Addressing a gathering in Gujarat, he had said, “There is a university in Delhi called Jamia Millia Islamia. It has publicly announced that it will foot the legal fee of terrorists involved in the act. Go drown yourself. This Jamia Millia is being run on Government money and it is daring to spend money on lawyers to get terrorists out of jail. When will this vote bank politics endIJ”