A row erupted yesterday over plans by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to observe the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Raja Mahendra Pratap at the Aligarh Muslim University(AMU) campus with its Vice Chancellor warning of a potential “communal conflagration” and the saffron party defending the move.
Non-BJP parties like Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Nationalist Congress Party also expressed “serious concern” over the likely repercussions of the commemorative event next Monday that will be marked by a rally and demonstration at Aligarh Muslim University(AMU) campus.
As the local and Uttar Pradesh state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders stuck to their plans, the AMU Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) too voiced concern over “politicisation” of the campus.
Shah dashed off a letter to HRD Minister Smriti Irani, saying that if “certain elements” go ahead with their plans “it could lead to massive student unrest at the campus”. He, however, did not take the name of any party or outfit.
HRD Ministry said it has received the letter but refused to intervene on the ground that the matter could be best handled by AMU Vice Chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah who had given his nod earlier to hold the celebration but later revoked the decision.
“The issue concerns law and order they are best to judge the situation,” a senior Ministry official said.
Shah sounded a note of caution over 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,” he said.
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 Aligarh Muslim University (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”.
The Vice Chancellor said that in order to defuse the situation, they had agreed to hold a joint celebration on Raja’s birth anniversary but there was no forward movement.
He 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”.
“AMU does not want to involve in politics and we need your urgent and earnest support in tackling this threat to the law and order,” he said.
Satish Gautam, the BJP MP from Aligarh, said the party will go ahead with the celebrations.
“On December one, we will celebrate Pratap Singh’s birthday. If the VC wants to celebrate in AMU I welcome it. If that doesn’t happen, the BJP has decided to celebrate inside AMU campus. The BJP will do it and there is no doubt about it,” he said.
Ram Shankar Katheria, junior HRD minister, said if BJP workers want to celebrate the birthday they are free to do so.
BSP Chief Mayawati accused the BJP of trying to spread communal tension while a local SP MLA Zafar Alam voiced “serious concern” over likely repercussions of the rally.
NCP leader Tariq Anwar accused the BJP of trying to worsen the communal atmosphere in UP.
Shah had earlier courted controversy by denying permission to undergraduate girl students to the campus library, saying granting such access would result in “four time more boys” to the library.