The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday condemned Uttar Pradesh Minister Thakur Raghuraj Singh over his remarks describing Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) as “hubs of terrorists” and threatening to shut down the two institutions.
The association demanded Singh’s immediate removal from the Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers and the registration of an FIR against him under appropriate legal provisions. It also urged the BJP’s national leadership and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to publicly condemn the minister’s statements and take action against him.
JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said the remarks were communal and inflammatory, and accused the minister of attempting to stigmatise students and undermine institutions with significant contributions to India’s education system and nation-building.
In a statement, Khuehami said elected representatives holding constitutional office should not use their positions to spread communal hatred, malign educational institutions or create an atmosphere of fear and hostility among students.
“It is disturbing that instead of addressing the pressing challenges confronting India’s education sector, an elected representative is busy demonising universities, branding their students as potential terrorists and threatening to shut down institutions because of their names and identities,” he said.
JKSA SAYS AMU, JAMIA SHOULD NOT BE TARGETED OVER RELIGIOUS IDENTITY
The association said AMU and Jamia were among India’s historically significant educational institutions, with contributions to the country’s freedom struggle, intellectual development and nation-building.
It said the universities had produced generations of distinguished personalities who had contributed to India’s political, administrative, sporting, cultural and intellectual life.
Khuehami said reducing the legacy of the institutions to their religious identities or describing them as centres of terrorism was an insult to their students, teachers and scholars.
“Jamia and AMU are integral to India’s educational heritage and national fabric. They deserve recognition for their contributions, not political vilification and threats of closure,” he said.
The association further said university campuses should remain spaces for learning, research, debate and scientific inquiry, rather than become targets of political attacks.
ASSOCIATION DEMANDS FIR, ACTION FROM BJP LEADERSHIP
Questioning the minister’s remarks, JKSA said political leaders should focus on strengthening educational infrastructure, expanding research facilities and creating opportunities for young people instead of threatening to shut down established universities.
It also warned that branding students as potential terrorists on the basis of the institutions they attend could deepen alienation and legitimise prejudice.
The association reiterated its demand for Singh’s removal from the state Cabinet and called for an FIR and a time-bound investigation into his remarks.
It also asked the BJP’s central leadership and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to clearly distance themselves from the statements and ensure accountability.
“A minister who publicly brands students and premier educational institutions as centres of terrorism, questions their patriotism and threatens their existence cannot be allowed to escape accountability,” Khuehami added.
The statement was issued by the JKSA in response to Singh’s comments targeting AMU and Jamia.
– Ends
