NEW DELHI: A normal day turned chaotic at Aligarh Muslim University after members of Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena staged a protest against the varsity administration alleging them of declining a request of students to hold a ‘special’ Holi event on March 9.
Yanendra Singh Chauhan, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena, alleged discrimination against Hindu students, saying, “Some AMU students had asked for permission from the AMU administration to celebrate the ‘Holi Milan’ celebration, but the University has declined it. Today, we have given a memorandum to the DM addressing the PM, stating that Hindu students in AMU are being treated differently.”
He added, if not granted permission for a ‘special’ Holi event, then on March 10 “we will enter AMU and celebrate Holi with students.”
A student of AMU, Akhil Kaushal, confirmed that a request for organising the event had been made. “On February 25, AMU students had written to the AMU Vice-Chancellor seeking permission to organise the ‘Holi Milan’ program on March 9. Till now, we have not been granted permission for it,” he said.
Meanwhile, AMU proctor professor Wasim Ali Khan clarified the University’s stance, saying that the request had been considered but was ultimately denied to maintain consistency in university policies.
“On February 26, five students had submitted a signed letter addressing the Vice-Chancellor, requesting a designated location to organize a special event for Holi celebrations on March 9. The University decided that as no such special permission has ever been granted before, the same will be followed now. Holi is celebrated by students in their respective departments and hostels at the university. The University is not in favour of granting permission for any special celebrations,” Khan said.