AMU forced to withdraw circular seeking details of Kashmiri students

Aligarh: A circular that was issued by the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to collect details of the students from Jammu and Kashmir has been withdrawn after the J&K Student Association raised their objection calling it an “act of breach of privacy.”

The controller of examination (Admission Section) at AMU had asked for the details through the circular issued last month on the ground that the information was sought by the Aligarh police.

The matter had generated controversy after the Jammu and Kashmir Student Association called the move an "act of breach of privacy".

After the withdrawal of the circular on Wednesday evening, AMU officials avoided further discussion on the subject despite claiming earlier in the day that this was a routine exercise wherein the Aligarh police seek information about a total number of students, as well as those from Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states, and this is provided.

A letter dated December 27, 2022, was issued from the office of the controller of examination (Admission Section) to the deans of faculties, dean of student welfare, chairperson of the department of studies in different faculties and principals seeking information about the total number of students in their faculties/centres (gender-wise) and the total number of Jammu and Kashmir students admitted with complete details for the 2022-2023 session in a set format.

"Please attend this on priority as the information is to be provided to the Superintendent of Police, Aligarh," stated the letter marked "time-bound/important", issued by Faisal Waris, the assistant controller (Admissions).

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association objected to the format of the circular and its content seeking information in detail about 1,400 Kashmiri students at Aligarh Muslim University.

"Most of the Kashmiri scholars opposed this move and termed it an act of breaching privacy and goes against the fundamental rights ensured by the Constitution," Nasir Kheuhami, national convenor of the association had said.

Source: IANS

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