Jammu University on Monday disallowed both the BJP and RSS chiefs from making a speech at a function to be held on Tuesday at the university’s General Zorawar Singh auditorium. The event was being organised by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation on the death anniversary of BJP ideologue and founder president of Bharatiya Janasangh, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

BJP president Rajnath Singh and RSS chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat were scheduled to make a speech at a national seminar that focused on issues like terrorism and special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Incidentally, the Jammu University’s refusal comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is having a National Conference-Congress coalition government headed by Omar Abdullah, who is the grandson of Sher-i-Kashmir late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Abdullah had imprisoned Mookerjee for entering the state without a permit 57 years ago. Mookerjee later died in the prison.

The abrogation of Article 370 that guarantees special status to Jammu and Kashmir is still an issue with both BJP and the RSS, who have been asking for the complete integration of the state with the Indian union.

Sources in the Jammu University told The Indian Express that the seminar and other academic activities will be allowed as per schedule, but no political function will be held. A senior JU official said that the organisers have promised that there will be no political function.

The decision came at a meeting between Jammu University Vice Chancellor Varun Sahni and local organisers of the function on Monday evening, following reports in The Indian Express about the auditorium being used for political purposes.

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