AMU library row: University bans 'Times of India' in campus

Aligarh, Nov 15: After Aligarh Muslim University Women's College Students' Union (AMUWCSU) and AMU Students' Union (AMUSU) protested against alleged "biased media reports" over the issue of access to girls to the university's central Maulana Azad Library, now 'The Times of India' newspaper has been banned in the university campus.

As per a TOI report, when AMU's public relations officer Rahat Abrar was asked about the ban he said the "ban" comes in the wake of demands from some students upset with the report. "There will be no copies of The Times of India in any of our offices or departments," he said.

More than 2000 girls took out a procession culminating at the Sir Syed crossing in Aligarh.

"We are deeply outraged by the manner in which the media has distorted our demands for access to Maulana Azad library and has presented it in a highly biased manner," newly-elected president of the AMUWCSU Gulfiza Khan said while addressing the protesters.

She also said that some misguided individuals in the media were trying to project a highly distorted version of their demand which is very painful. The protesters later burnt an effigy of a leading news daily, which, they alleged, was spreading malicious news.

The procession was being followed by a separate similar protest led by the office bearers of newly-elected students union.

The two unions which protested holding placards that read "Media... say sorry to our father, the VC" and "Daughters can't be against their father" also slammed the HRD Ministry. "If the ministry is so concerned, it should sanction funds to upgrade the Women's College library," they were quoted as saying in The Indian Express.

The Allahabad High Court today sought response of the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University on a public interest litigation seeking direction to the varsity authorities to allow entry of women students into the Maulana Azad Library.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PKS Baghel issued notice to the VC on the PIL filed by law intern and activist Deeksha Dwivedi and sought a reply on November 24.

OneIndia News