J&K students' panel writes to Amit Shah over alleged harassment at Aligarh Muslim University
In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association alleged that Kashmiri students are facing a “hostile culture” at AMU.
Akshay Dongare : The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged harassment of Kashmiri students at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh.
The student body alleged the Kashmiri students are facing a hostile culture at AMU, adding that seven students have been injured in the last three months.
“There are over 1,400 students from Kashmir valley enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, and research courses at Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh. Students from Jammu and Kashmir are facing an uncivilized hostile culture (goonda culture) at AMU consistently. They have become victim of this culture of hostility,” the letter read.
It added, “Over the past three months at least seven students of the J&K region were brutally assaulted resulting in grievous injuries.”
The J&K students body alleged that no action has been taken over continued harassment despite repeated pleas.
“Home Ministry had issued an advisory in the past to take “strict action” against those responsible for such incidents. However, in spite of all the advisories and directions, the harassment continues,” the letter alleged.
The association sought an enquiry into the incidents, as well as holding the Proctor of Aligarh Muslim University accountable for his “lackadaisical attitude in ensuring a safe and conducive atmosphere for J&K students in general”.
They also appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to personally look into the matter and initiate criminal proceedings against those found guilty of harassing Kashmiri students.
Meanwhile, Additional District Magistrate Minu Rana, Aligarh, said that there has been no complaint of a life-threatening attack on the Kashmiri student.
“Kashmiri students have started to feel insecure after a verbal clash between students and meeting will be held for the same. There is no complaint of a life-threatening attack on the Kashmiri student,” Additional District Magistrate Minu Rana was quoted as saying by ANI.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also urged Union home ministry to take cognizance of the incidents.
“Unfortunate to see no action taken against hooligans harassing Kashmiri students in AMU. Some have also been physically assaulted & the authorities need to take prompt & strict action. Request Home Minister of India, AMU, and Aligarh Police to take cognizance,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.(India Today) reports
