Jinnah portrait row: Inquiry ordered in AMU violence; internet services suspended

AGRA: The Aligarh district administration on Friday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the violence at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Wednesday over the removal of Mohd Ali Jinnah’s portrait. Tension continued to prevail in the city, forcing authorities to clamp Section 144 of CrPC and suspend internet services.

According to officials, internet services were suspended on the orders of district magistrate (DM) CB Singh at 2pm and will be resumed at midnight on Saturday after a review of the situation. Officials said the services were suspended in order to curb circulation of rumours and fake news on social media.

The magisterial inquiry will be conducted by additional district magistrate (ADM) Bachchu Singh and he will submit a report within 15 days.


Talking to TOI, CB Singh said, “The inquiry will look into how right-wing activists managed to reach AMU gates a second time and why no action was taken by police. The inquiry will also assess why no FIR was registered against the activists then. Allegations that some policemen had accompanied the activists will also be investigated...”

Tension prevailed in Aligarh on Friday, as AMU students continued with their sit-in at the university’s Baab-e-Syed gate, where they had clashed with police on Wednesday. The students offered Friday prayers at the spot and several teachers and other members of the AMU fraternity participated. Vice chancellor Tariq Mansoor also visited the students.

AMU Students Union (AMUSU) president Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani said, “Resistance will continue till a judicial inquiry is marked and the culprits arrested. Students are also demanding a ban on organisations like RSS, VHP and HYV as they spread divisive ideologies.”

Meanwhile, AMU Teachers’ Association sent a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind asking him to “urgently institute” a highlevel judicial probe.

The clash took place when students were demanding action against right-wing protesters who tried to force their way into the campus to remove a Jinnah portrait from the AMUSU hall, where it has been hanging for decades. District vice president of HYV, Aditya Pundit said, “We have given a memorandum to UP CM Yogi Adityanath demanding action against AMU students who pelted stones at policemen, leaving many, including officers, injured. Antecedents of all Kashmiri students staying in AMU hostels should be verified, as many may have terror links.”