In a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, teachers and alumni of the university, an activist questions the unprecedented development in the institution’s history
ALIGARH — A controversy has broken out at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) after students alleged that the use of loudspeakers for azaan (Muslim call to prayers) was stopped during the visit of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the campus on June 22. The issue has led to demands for an explanation from the university administration, while officials have denied that any such restrictions were imposed.
The matter came into public discussion after a letter written by student activist and advocate Syed Kaif Hasan circulated on social media. In the letter, addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, teachers and alumni of the university, Hasan questioned what he described as an unprecedented development in the institution’s history.
According to Hasan, the alleged incident took place during the visit of a senior political leader whose helicopter landed inside the university campus. He claimed that loudspeaker azaan was reportedly stopped at that time and asked under whose authority such a decision had been taken.
“This is not merely an administrative issue,” Hasan wrote. “It is linked to the identity, heritage and traditions of the university. The administration should clarify whether any instructions were issued regarding the use of loudspeakers for azaan.”
The issue gained further attention after several students shared posts on social media alleging that a student at Aftab Hall in MacDonnell Hostel was prevented from calling the azaan through a loudspeaker. According to these claims, the student was informed that the use of loudspeakers had been restricted on the instructions of the university administration.
In his open letter, Hasan called upon the Vice-Chancellor to provide a public explanation regarding the allegations. He also appealed to teachers and former students to safeguard the values and traditions of the institution founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
He expressed concern about what he described as growing political interference in the affairs of educational institutions. Hasan argued that if questions raised by students remain unanswered, concerns about the autonomy of the university could grow further.
“Students and members of the AMU community deserve a clear response,” he said. “The issue concerns long-standing traditions associated with the university.”
Several students also voiced concern over the reported incident. One student claimed that loudspeaker azaan was allegedly stopped at locations including Habib Hall, Suleiman Hall and MacDonnell Hostel’s Aftab Hall during the chief minister’s visit.
According to students, the alleged restrictions coincided with Adityanath’s arrival in Aligarh on June 22 to attend an official programme. His helicopter landed at the university’s Willingdon Pavilion, they said.
However, the university administration has strongly denied all allegations.
AMU Chief Proctor Naved Khan rejected the claims and described the open letter as provocative. He said no restrictions were placed on azaan and no official order was issued to stop any religious activity on campus.
“There was no ban on azaan,” Khan said. “The allegations being circulated are baseless. The university administration did not issue any order restricting religious practices.”
The administration maintained that normal religious activities continued and that reports suggesting otherwise were not supported by any official directive.
Despite the denial, Hasan accused the administration of avoiding the central questions raised by students. He said that instead of addressing concerns directly, attention was being shifted away from the issue.
“The questions remain unanswered,” he said. “Students have asked whether any instructions were issued and, if not, why reports of restrictions emerged from different parts of the campus.”
The controversy has generated debate among students and alumni, with many calling for greater transparency from the university administration. Some have demanded an independent clarification of the events of June 22 to establish whether any restrictions were imposed and, if so, under what circumstances.
As discussions continue, the issue has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding religious practices, institutional traditions and administrative decision-making at one of India’s most prominent minority educational institutions.
For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with students maintaining that restrictions were imposed and the university administration firmly denying the allegations.
