Two UP varsities ring alarm all’s not well

AMU V-C's open letter warns of 'katta culture' on campus.

Two days after an incident of firing on the campus, in which two persons were injured, AMU Vice-chancellor Lt Gen (retired) Zameer Uddin Shah has written an open letter to students warning them about a 'katta' (country-made pistol) culture which has spread on the campus and 'goondas' staying in the university halls.

The V-C's letter, which was distributed in hostels and other places on campus on Friday, blames the students' union for creating indiscipline.

Since the university authorities believe that elements creating trouble have the patronage of certain Samajwadi Party leaders, the V-C is likely to take up the matter with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, it was learnt.

While the V-C could not be reached, university spokesperson Rahat Abrar said the V-C had written the open letter following recent incidents on the campus. In the incidents of firing, two ex-students were injured and hospitalised with gunshot injuries.

Earlier, on March 12, the university had suspended AMU students' union (AMUSU) vice-president Taushif Alam after he allegedly occupied the office of the principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and used abusive, intemperate and threatening language and demanded the accounts of the medical college.

Since then, the students' union office-bearers are on an indefinite dharna outside the V-C's lodge, demanding that Alam's suspension be revoked. On Friday, they also took out a procession on the campus.

In his open letter, the V-C has stated that he allowed elections to the students' union with the expectation that union leaders would abide by their charter of duties. But there have been serious breaches of discipline since the office-bearers assumed office. "Will AMU students accept abuses being hurdled by student leaders?" the V-C asked in the letter.

He said there have been demands for relief in shortfall of attendance. The V-C also advised students not to allow "unlawful and unauthorised goondas" who are spreading "katta culture" on campus.

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