Protest At AMU Over Denial Of 'Special' Holi Event Permission, Karni Sena Warns Of Entering Campus On March 10

Aligarh Muslim University declined permission for a special Holi event, prompting a protest from the Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena which alleged discrimination.

Members of Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena hold a protest against the Aligarh Muslim University administration after the University declines to grant permission for a 'special' Holi event to be organised by some students on March 9

Source : Getty Images | ANI

A protest was staged at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Thursday after the varsity administration declined a request by students to hold a 'special' Holi event on March 9. Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena staged a demonstration against the University, alleging discrimination against Hindu students.  

Yanendra Singh Chauhan, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena, accused the administration of bias. "Some AMU students had asked for permission from the AMU administration to celebrate the 'Holi Milan' celebration, but the University has declined it. Today, we have given a memorandum to the District Magistrate addressing the Prime Minister, stating that Hindu students in AMU are being treated differently," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Chauhan further warned that if the request for a 'special' Holi event was not granted, the group would enter the campus and celebrate Holi with students on March 10.  

#WATCH | #WATCH | President of Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena, Yanendra Singh Chauhan says, " Some AMU students had asked for permission from AMU administration to celebrate 'Holi Milan' celebration but the University has declined it. Today, we have given a memorandum to the DM… pic.twitter.com/ep1zcI6Wfb

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 6, 2025

Confirming the request, AMU student Akhil Kaushal said, "On February 25, AMU students had written to the AMU Vice-Chancellor seeking permission to organise the 'Holi Milan' program on March 9. Till now, we have not been granted permission for it."  

"We sought permission for the Holi celebration in NRSC because last year, there was anarchy and lawlessness during the Holi celebration at AMU and students got afraid of celebrating the festival. We want a celebration the NRSC club because it is very far from the university and there are no chances of a conflict between the two communities. There will also be police presence instilling confidence in students regarding law and order," he told ANI.

#WATCH | Aligarh, UP | Aligarh Muslim University student Akhil Kaushal says, "On 25th February, AMU students had written to AMU VC seeking permission to organise the 'Holi Milan' program on March 9. Till now, we have not been granted permission for it..." pic.twitter.com/YOUtfhFnio

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 6, 2025

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark calling AMU a 'mini India', the student remarked that the lack of response to the permission request for the Holi celebration raises questions about AMU's secular status. He questioned the administration about the same and demanded a written response to the permission request.

AMU Proctor Cites Precedence, Says 'No Such Special Permission Has Ever Been Granted Before' 

Responding to the controversy, AMU Proctor Professor Wasim Ali Khan clarified that the decision was in line with University policy.

"On February 26, five students had submitted a signed letter addressing the Vice-Chancellor, requesting a designated location to organise a special event for Holi celebrations on March 9. The University decided that as no such special permission has ever been granted before, the same will be followed now. Holi is celebrated by students in their respective departments and hostels at the university. The University is not in favour of granting permission for any special celebrations," he said.  

#WATCH | Aligarh | Proctor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Professor Wasim Ali Khan says, "On 26th February, five students had given to me a signed letter addressing the Vice-Chancellor requesting the VC to assign them a location to organise a special event for Holi… pic.twitter.com/zApQs00MPF

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 6, 2025

Altercation At AMU Campus Over Holi Celebration

Last year, security was tightened at the AMU campus following an altercation between two groups of students over Holi celebrations. The conflict arose near the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering compound where some youths were celebrating Holi with colours and it was objected to by some others.

According to news agency PTI, senior police officers and university officers had to rush to the spot to defuse the tension. A complaint was lodged at the Civil Lines police station by Adit Partap Singh, a postgraduate student at AMU, wherein he alleged that he was assaulted. He named 10 students who were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.