Over 1200 Kashmiri students threaten to leave Aligarh Muslim University over sedition charges against fellow students

Escalating the face-off in the Aligarh Muslim University over Azadi slogans, over 1200 Kashmiri students in the University have threatened exodus if sedition charges against two students are not dropped.  In a letter to AMU Vice-Chancellor, former vice-president of AMU students union, Sajjad Rathar said, “If this vilification does not stop, more than 1,200 Kashmiri students will leave for their homes in the Kashmir Valley on October 17 as a last option."

The former vice-president of AMU students union while terming the sedition charges as "vendetta", said, "The option of holding Namaaz-e-Janaza (prayer meeting) in absentia was dropped after the AMU authorities did not give the permission."

"If no prayer meeting was held as confirmed by all official agencies, the slapping a case of sedition against three Kashmiri students is simply a vendetta, harassment and denial of justice," he said.

READ | AMU Suspends Three Kashmiri Students For Holding A Prayer Meeting For Terrorist Manan Wani

The letter was handed over to AMU Proctor Mohsin Khan in presence of large number of Kashmiri students at his office on Saturday night.

This comes two days after three Kashmiri students of the AMU were suspended after they allegedly tried to hold a prayer meeting for the neutralized terrorist Manan Wani. Later, the AMU issued a show cause notice against eight students, out of which two of the students were suspended.

Meanwhile, Jammu-Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has reacted to the issue and assured the youth that his administration has taken up the concern for the well-being of the Kashmiri students studying in Aligarh Muslim University with their administrative counterparts in Uttar Pradesh so that students can carry on with their studies in a safe and secure environment

READ | Manan Wani Killing: AMU Registrar Clears The Air, Says 'he Was Suspended, AMU Has Nothing To Do With Him'

Governor Satya Pal Malik has said that the most important stakeholders in the peace process is Jammu-Kasmir’s youth and it is essential to engage them regularly and effectively to give impetus to peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. To ensure the welfare of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in other parts of the country, the Governor said that liaison Officers will be designated for areas having higher number of students from the State who will act as a point of contact in these states for the students to get their concerns presented and addressed.

Top Hizbul Commander Manan Wani was killed in an encounter with the security forces in Handwara area of North Kashmir on October 11. Two more terrorists were gunned down in the same encounter