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Envoy's remarks on AMU sparks row

Our Correspondent in Abu Dhabi

India's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has kicked off a row here by suggesting that the word 'Muslim' from Aligarh Muslim University should be dropped.

AMU had celebrated Sir Syed Day at Abu Dhabi at a function which was presided over by Ambassador K C Singh. In his address, Singh suggested that 'Muslim' should be removed from AMU's name as it gives the university a religious bias.

Soon after this, angry people shot off letters to the local newspapers, protesting against the ambassador's uncalled for suggestion.

A couple of them pointed out that Singh should suggest that 'Hindu' be dropped from Benares Hindu University and 'Khalsa' from Khalsa College in Bombay, if the names of educational institutions should have no religious connotations.

Some also pointed out that even though it is named as a Muslim university, AMU has 60 per cent non-Muslim students; in the medical college, over 70 per cent students are non-Muslims.

Aligarh Muslim University, a premier educational institution in India, has recently opened branches in the UAE to cater to Indian and other students.

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