AMU Library controversy: VC gives girl students access to Maulana Azad Library

Aligarh, Nov 26: After the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday directed Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) authorities to allow entry of girl students inside the Maulana Azad Library (MAL), AMU vice chancellor Zameeruddin Shah as per a TOI report submitted in writing to the court that all students, including girls, have been allowed access to the MAL from the current session.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.K.S. Baghel passed the order while disposing of a PIL filed by law intern and civil rights activist Deeksha Dwidedi.

"If the male students are not barred in the main

, excluding of women students raises a serious question of propriety because a regulatory measure cannot target students on gender basis on the ground that the facility is overstretched," the court said.

The court held that the varsity authorities' decision to restrict entry of girl students into the library was "arbitrary" and "in violation of Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution".

The varsity authorities who opposed the entry of girl students inside the library in an affidavit filed before the court on Tuesday submitted that they would ensure that no gender discrimination is allowed on the premises and safety of female students would be ensured wherever they choose to go.

AMU was at the centre of a controversy over not giving access to women undergraduates to the main library on campus.

AMU vice-chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah had said that allowing undergraduate girl students will attract "four times more boys" to the library.

The PIL had sought the court's direction on the issue.

The PIL had also alleged that the AMU VC had also said that presence of girl students in the library would breed indiscipline and disturb boys' concentration.

(With inputs from agencies)

OneIndia News