A political storm has erupted over the decision of the BJP to observe the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Raja Mahendra Pratap at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus on Monday.
In a letter to Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, the AMU Vice-Chancellor has warned of a potential “communal conflagration,” but the Ministry has decided not to intervene in the matter. The students’ union of AMU has now sought intervention of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Irani on Friday morning denied having personally received any letter from V-C Zameeruddin Shah. However, well-placed sources in the Ministry confirmed that the letter was received in her office on Friday morning. Though she refused to comment further on the issue, the statement by MoS Ram Shankar Katehria, saying that if BJP workers want to celebrate the birthday they are free to do so, has invited sharp reactions.
A protest rally by the student union of the university was also held on the campus on Friday.
BSP chief Mayawati has accused the BJP of trying to spread communal tension. NCP leader Tariq Anwar accused the BJP of trying to worsen the communal atmosphere in UP.
The AMU Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) too voiced concern over “politicisation” of the campus.
The AMU V-C on Thursday had written a letter to Irani, saying that if “certain elements” go ahead with their plans “it could lead to massive student unrest at the campus”. Shah has pointed out the possibility of “communal conflagration if political machinations are not controlled”.
“Some elements are threatening to hold a demonstration on the grounds that Raja Mahendra Pratap donated large tracts of land for establishment of AMU and should be honoured accordingly. Some local and state BJP leaders have decided to hold a rally on the campus on the birth anniversary of the Raja, an alumnus of AMU, whose family was closely associated with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of the premier institution. They had recently claimed that AMU was built on land donated by Raja Mahendra Pratap but the varsity authorities “failed to acknowledge his contribution,” said the V-C.
Shah urged the HRD Minister to use her good offices to put pressure on those political leaders “who are issuing statements and advise them to exercise a sobering influence”. In, Aligarh, the district administration has made precautionary measures to ensure that the birth anniversary celebrations of Raja Mahendra Pratap take place in a peaceful manner.
Raja Mahendra Pratap was the President of India’s first Provisional Government in exile established at Kabul in 1915. It was established with the help of some leading Muslim clerics. He contested the 1957 lS election as an independent.
Addressing the rally in the AMU campus, the president of the AMU Student’s Union, Abdullah Azzam, said, “We fully acknowledge and fondly remember the contributions of Raja Mahendra Pratap to this University. However, the BJP is just misusing Pratap’s legacy as an excuse for targeting this University and is hardly bothered about the truth behind this issue”. Azzam said, “the country is presently facing a crisis because of the BJP government’s attempts to polarise society by saffronising the entire educational system”.