Governor Satya Pal Malik Tuesday spoke to union minister for human resource development Prakash Javadekar and sought his intervention to “ensure smooth studies” of Kashmiri students studying at the Aligarh Muslim University, even as the Uttar Pradesh police said the varsity has revoked suspension of two students.
The governor’s intervention—second time in a span of three days—comes amid tension at the AMU campus where two Kashmiri students—who allegedly planned namaaz-e-janaza (prayer meeting) for scholar-turned-militant Manan Wani on October 12, day after his death—were booked under sedition and other charges.
Wani, a PhD scholar from the AMU, died in a gunfight with forces in Handwara area of northern Kashmir on Thursday, nine months after quitting the varsity to join the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.
An official spokesman said that Governor Malik also spoke to AMU vice-chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor and urged him to resolve the “issue” at the earliest.
“Governor urged Javadekar and Prof Tariq to ensure that the issue is resolved at the earliest and there is no disruption of studies of the Kashmiri students and they are allowed to continue their studies in a safe, secure and well-disposed academic environment,” the spokesman said, two days after the governor’s administration took up the matter with the Uttar Pradesh government.
On Monday, J&K students at AMU held a protest demonstration and issued a statement which read: “Fear among J&K students is increasing every passing day as more and more students are being named and framed with fake charges.”
The protesting students also submitted a memorandum to the varsity authorities, saying if the sedition charges were not withdrawn, more than 1,200 J&K students would leave the campus en-masse on October 17 after presenting their case during the alumni meet on October 16.
A report Tuesday said that Kashmiri students at AMU held a silent protest during a function held for alumni of the university as part of its Sir Syed Day celebrations.
Earlier, the students have made it clear that no funeral prayer was organised for Manan Wani near the Kennedy Hall and that they were “only discussing the current situation in the Valley.”
SUSPENSION OF 2 STUDENTS REVOKED: POLICE
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh police said that suspension of two Kashmiri students studying at the Aligarh Muslim University has been revoked.
“We have been told by the (AMU) authorities that suspension of two students has been revoked,” the additional director general of UP police (law and order), Anand Kumar told Greater Kashmir this evening.
He said that no student will be hounded or arrested. “We will take the account of students into consideration and if they have not done any wrong, we will definitely drop the charges against them,” he said, adding: “There will be fair investigation in the matter.”
He said that “conducive” atmosphere has started to return to AMU. “We value students and there is no question of harassment to any student,” he said.
KNS ADDS
Meanwhile, local news gathering agency KNS reported Tuesday that Kashmiri students at Aligarh Muslim University have decided to defer by one day their return to Kashmir after a “crucial meeting” with university authorities.
Quoting vice-president of AMU Students’ Union Sajad Ahmad, the news agency said: “We had a detailed discussion with the university authorities today during which we were told that the probe team has found allegations against the two suspended students baseless but a final decision on withdrawal of sedition charges will be taken tomorrow (Wednesday) only.”
“We have decided to defer our return to Kashmir by one day. We will talk to university authorities on Wednesday again and expect a decision on withdrawal of sedition charges against Kashmiri students. The suspension of two Kashmiri students has been withdrawn,” Ahmad was quoted as saying.