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'The BJP thrives on widening the communal divide and spreading hatred among communities'

Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 14:50:31EST -0500
Subject: Campus under siege

I am an ex-student of AMU and have seen from time to time such allegations being heaped on my alma mater. When I was in AMU, we used to read in newspapers about terrorist training camps at AMU which none of us students were aware of. These are nothing but nefarious designs on the part of the RSS/VHP/Bajrang Dal/ to somehow disrupt the academic environment of the university and brand Muslims as anti-national.

The AMU has always been an eyesore to the RSS/BJP. Unfortunately, some local scribes have now become their mouthpiece. The BJP thrives on widening the communal divide and spreading hatred among communities. The greater the divide, the more the seats in the electorate -- that is how they see it.

The AMU has produced great sons of Mother India who had, who are giving and who will give their life for India.

Jafri

Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 14:49:24EST -0400
Subject: Campus under siege

I believe that because of the anti-social or anti-national activities of a few individuals the whole university cannot be condemned. On the other hand, I also believe that to some extent the students are also responsible for the branding of the whole university as criminal because it is they who give shelter to these few individuals who harbour anti-national sentiments. It is also true that there are certain sections in the university who are not really interested in studies and it is they who indulge in activities that harm the reputation of this university. And because of these very few, students who want to study have to suffer.

It is not only the students but the authorities too who are to be blamed equally for all this because they don't pay heed to the activities of their students. Therefore, both, the students as well as the authorities have to take steps to curb this menace. Students should become more proactive and not let these anti-social elements dampen their spirits and concentrate instead on their studies. And the authorities should ensure that anti-national students do not form and nurture groups in the campus.

Saurabh

Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2000, 00:05:56EST
Subject: Campus under siege

I am a former student of AMU. I studied there for six years. I was really hurt on reading this report. I am hurt because the whole university has been called a den of terrorists while the truth is that yes, there had been a few anti-national forces always present on the campus. But one should get rid of those forces instead of maligning the entire university.

I remember a particular incident when the Charar-e-Sharif was set afire by militants. The next day there were posters all over the campus and the canteen saying: "We condemn the Indian forces for burning the Charar-e-Sharif" and other such inflammatory statements. The incident came as a big shock to me. Similarly, back in 1991 when I was in std XII, I remember talking to a Kashmiri student who was so criticial of India and the Indian forces. This student claimed to be an ardent supporter of some militant group. During the India-Pakistan matches too, there used to be a lot of students supporting Pakistan in the hostel.

It has been five years since I left the university and I guess the problem must have only multiplied. It is time the Indian government took firm action against such students. The government should also keep tabs on the activities going on inside the campus.

Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 08:18:53EST -0700
Subject: Campus under siege

I am an alumni of AMU, I graduated in 1993 with a bachelors in engineering. I strongly feel that the university should not be blamed for the conduct of a few students. We all know how the Indian police frames people. I was once framed for ransacking an examination centre in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Fortunately, I am not dark and did not fit the description of the eye-witness. But still police did not spare me and tried their best to implicate me in something I was not in any way involved.

Now, after six years in the US and after contributing to society with my research in developing intelligent tools for diabetic and cardiac patients, I feel confident enough to point out that the police cannot be trusted completely. If the student is really involved, then he should be punished, but there should be an unbiased investigation.

It is my request to the media that they should not play up this story. We should remember that there are other genuine students in this university who are interested in contributing to society and have learned a lot in this university.

Farukh Naqvi

Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000, 04:05:18EST +0100
Subject: Campus under siege

If the AMU is suspected as being a conspirator and associate of the ISI, it is itself to blame for it. While forming an opinion on a subject, it is natural to draw conclusions from past history. Muslims in general and AMU in particular have done absolutely nothing to change the historical legacy of role of the Muslim League in the history of India. This is a burden they will carry even when they may not be at fault. You cannot dissociate yourself from the deeds of your ancestors. You can keep blaming the media, the BJP, the forces of Hindutva etc, but it will not solve the problem. The problem will be solved only if the Muslims in India show with their deeds that India's enemies -- never mind what their religion is -- are their enemies too.

Dr Anand Arya

Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000, 22:44:15EST +0100
Subject: Campus under siege

I really think that the students are being misled and I feel sorry for them. May god bless them and give them the wisdom they need -- this is what I have to say to all young Indians.

Sanjeev

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