Amid controversy over celebrating Republic Day in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the varsity observed the day with enthusiasm and gaiety at the Strechy Hall. The day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect.
AMU vice chancellor professor Tariq Mansoor while addressing the gathering at the 70th Republic Day celebrations said, “On this auspicious occasion, we salute our National Flag, that symbolises our national pride and we fondly remember and pay tribute to Bharat Ratna, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, India’s first law minister and the principal architect of the Constitution of India.”
After a customary parade by NCC cadets and unfurling of the tricolour, Prof Mansoor said that we are overwhelmed by the vivid memories of our indomitable heroes of the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and others who fought for our country against the British rule. They made great sacrifices so that we could lead a better life unaffected by ignominy of imperialist domination and colonial exploitation.
Two days back, AMU landed into controversy after it served a show-cause notice to a student leader over a ‘tiranga yatra’ through the campus, saying it was held without permission. The university said it followed procedure and believed that the motorcycle procession was meant to polarise students on the campus. The leader from the BJP’s student wing alleged bias and said he would complain to the human resource development ministry. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao also criticised the University’s stand. Ajay Singh, a grandson of BJP MLA Dalveer Singh, was served notice on Wednesday for the procession taken out a day back.
SENSE OF OCCASION
- AMU vice-chancellor professor Tariq Mansoor addressed the gathering at the 70th Republic Day celebrations
- There was a customary parade by NCC cadets and unfurling of the tricolour
- Prof Mansoor said that he is overwhelmed by memories of nation’s indomitable heroes
