LUCKNOW: Aligarh Muslim University’s students union created a flutter by extending invitation to President Ram Nath Kovind to university’s convocation on March 7 though with a pinch of salt but categorically cautioning the varsity authorities against inviting anyone having allegiance to Sang Parivar. Kovind has to grace the occasion as chief guest on 65th convocation of Aligarh Muslim university to be held on March 7.
According to sources, the student union of the prestigious university claimed that it would welcome the President but would not allow any person with ‘Sanghi’ mindset to attend the event.
''We are not opposing the President, but we oppose the 'Sanghi' mindset. In 2010, the President had said Muslims and Christians are alien to country that bothers us till date but we welcome him,'' tweeted Mohammad Fahad, secretary, AMU Student Union. He added: ''No other person with 'Sanghi' mindset will be allowed to enter the campus, those coming as per protocol can come.''
President Kovind meanwhile, has accepted the invitation extended to him by AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor. Kovind would be the first President to attend AMU convocation in 32 years after Giani Zail Singh who had attended it in 1986. Prior to him, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad had attended the event in 1976. Dr S Radha Krishnan was the chief-guest in 1966 and Dr Rajendra Prasad attended the 1951 convocation of AMU, according to media reports.
The AMUSU has said that AMU authorities will be squarely responsible for the consequences in case any RSS functionary attends the convocation. "If any Sanghi or anyone associated with Gandhi's assassination and demolition of the Babri Majid attends the convocation, they will not be treated well as we know how to deal with such elements", said AMUSU Secretary.
Notably, AMU students had protested and raised questions on the university’s decision to invite minister of state for Education, Sandeep Singh, on the campus during Sir Syed bicentenary celebrations on October 17, last year. Sandeep Singh is grandson of Rajastahn Governor and former UP CM Kalyan Singh.
Fresh controversy comes several weeks after the CBI booked former Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Naseem Ahmad for alleged irregularities and cheating in the appointment of a university official in 2005. Ahmad joined the university as V-C in 2002 and resigned in 2007.