Lucknow: The standoff between the Aligarh Muslim University and the BJP over the birth anniversary celebrations of Raja Mahendra Pratap has resolved with the BJP deciding to call off the protest it had planned and vice-chancellor Zameer-uddin Shah giving permission to hold a seminar on Raja Mahendra Pratap on the campus. BJP MP Satish Gautam said, “The vice-chancellor has agreed to hold a seminar.
We are satisfied with it and have decided not to hold a protest at the university gate. We will hold celebrations near the statue of Raja Mahendra Pratap in the park named after him.” The AMU vice-chancellor had earlier written to the Union human resources development ministry, warning that the celebrations on December 1 could lead to “massive student unrest” and had even raised the possibility of a communal flare-up.
The Opposition have been accusing the BJP of politicising the issue. BSP chief Mayawati said the BJP of trying to spread communal tension while local SP MLA Zafar Alam voiced concern over likely repercussions of the rally. NCP leader Tariq Anwar accused the BJP of trying to worsen the communal atmosphere in UP.
