The Aligarh Muslim University has warned of communal tensions in the campus if the BJP proceeds with plans to celebrate the birth anniversary of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh on December 1 at the campus gates, say reports.
According to reports, AMU vice chancellor Lt Gen (retired) Zameer Uddin Shah has written to union HRD minister Smriti Irani and has warned about the possible ramifications if the celebration goes ahead as planned. However, Shah did not mention the names of the parties- neither the BJP, which has planned the event, or the Samajwadi Party, which has opposed it in the letter. Shah has reportedly warned that the political games played out by "certain elements" might be detrimental to peace on the campus.
An excerpt of Shah's letter to Irani reads, "In view of the threat of disturbance from these people, claiming to be affiliated to various political parties/outfits, another political outfit opposing them joined the fray and announced that they would not allow the rally to be held. This political gamesmanship, if allowed to proceed, has potential for serious trouble".
The controversy started after Uttar Pradesh BJP's president Laxmikant Bajpaiannounced plans to celebrate Jat king Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh's birth anniversary on campus. According to him, the king had donated land to the university during his reign.
The Students Union at AMU has also said they shall not support or allow any programme to be organised by the "BJP or the RSS" at the campus on December 1. The union had earlier supported the programme which was to be held at the Tikonia Ground in Aligarh.
