The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was closed sine die on October 30 till further notice. The AMU hostlers were also told to vacate hostels within the next 48 hours to avoid criminal proceedings against them. The decision came on the third day of the students agitation on the killing of a BSc (III year) student Shahnawaz Alam.
“The administration decided to close down the University till further orders preempting any unfortunate eventuality after some outside and anti-social elements partaking in the ongoing agitation of a group of students. The University administration had appealed to the students to leave their halls as per the announced schedule by busses and trains made available for their convenience,” said Dr. Rahat Abrar, Public Relations Officer of the university.
“The closure of the University was a very painful decision and its was unanimously decided in the meeting of Deans of Faculties, Principals of Colleges and Senior Faculty Members of the University,” said Professor P.K. Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University, while addressing a meeting of the Chairmen of the Department of studies.
Professor Aizs said that the decision was taken to prevent the nefarious designs of the anti-social elements and safeguard the interest of the University.
According to the Vice Chancellor a group of senior teachers led by Professor M. Saleemuddin tried to persuade the student not to block the railway track. A number of anti-social elements and rusticated students joined the protest. A handful of students staged a dharna and used highly abusive language against the teachers. Professor Ziauddin Khairuwala, as a chief negotiator tried to initiate dialogue with the students but obstinate posture adopted by one student derailed the negotiation.
The unexpected closure deeply hurt the academic resurgence drive set in motion by the University. The Vice Chancellor said that opening of the University is an easy task but to preserve values and traditions is an uphill task and he asked the teachers to evolve a strategy to strengthen value system.