NEW DELHI – Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) echoed with the slogans, demanding freedom from Indian and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after Hindu extremists launched an attack on students following a row regarding removal of portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
As the tension escalated, the authorities suspended internet service in Aligarh district and imposed Section 144 to tackle the situation. Students continued with their sit-in at the university’s Baab-e-Syed gate, where they had clashed with the police on Wednesday.
A video shared by a Twitter user shows a large number of students chanting slogans against the government. The protesters can be heard as saying “Modi se lenge azadi. BHARAT se lenge azadi” [We will get freedom from Modi and India].
https://twitter.com/BhittaniKhannnn/status/992397521128390658
The students also offered Friday prayers at the scene of the sit-in, while a large number of teachers and other members of the AMU fraternity participated.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/removal-of-quaid-e-azams-portrait-from-aligarh-muslim-university-sparks-outrage-in-india/
Wednesday’s clash between police and AMU students occurred when the students were demanding action against right-wing protesters who entered the campus in order to remove the portrait of Jinnah.
The row started after local BJP MP Satish Gautam sent a letter to AMU vice-chancellor questioning the presence of the portrait in the campus
Gautam, in a letter written by Gautam to the AMU vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor, had sought an explanation for placing the picture of Jinnah in the institute.
He further said that there was no reason to display the picture in any Indian institute after Partition, adding that there was no justification for having the picture of Jinnah in the university.
Later, a minister of the ruling party in India, Bhartiya Jantya Party (BJP), Swami Prasad Maurya, severely criticised Gautam over his action.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/bjp-left-red-faced-as-minister-refers-to-quaid-e-azam-as-great-leader/
According to Times of India, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister called Quaid-e-Azam a ‘mahapurush’ (great leader), saying he contributed to India before the formation of Pakistan. He added that it is a shame for anyone to point fingers at great leaders who have contributed towards the formation of the country.
