Assam University Denies Permission For Iftar Party: 'This Office Doesn't Allow Religious Programmes'

Assam University denied permission for a student-organized iftar party, citing a non-involvement policy in religious matters.

Assam University, Silchar denied permission for a student-organised iftar party on campus.

Source : http://www.aus.ac.in/

Authorities at Assam University in Silchar denied permission for a student-organised iftar party on campus saying religious programmes are not allowed within its premises. 

The event, 'Daawat-e-Iftaar' was planned by the students to be held on Saturday to mark the holy month of Ramadan. However, they were forced to cancel the event due to a delay in obtaining permission. 

The varsity's Registrar, in a handwritten note, stated: "This office doesn't involve directly into religious matter and threfore cannot officially permit any religious activities." 

'Spirit Of Fairness To Be Equally Distributed'

Reacting to the development, a member of the organising committee and a Master's degree student, RK Azad Choudhury said they respect institution's policies and  its unwavering commitment to upholding them. 

"With a heavy heart, we must inform you that Daawat-e-Iftaar will not be held at Assam University, Silchar this year, as the authorities have denied us permission. The official reason? The university, we are told, does not allow any religious programs within its premises," the statement read. 

"Rules are rules, and we completely understand. After all, maintaining a secular space requires absolute neutrality. And neutrality, as we see, is an art—an art where some colours shine brighter than others, some traditions blend in effortlessly, and some requests, unfortunately, just don’t fit the canvas," it added.

"We respect the institution’s policies and its unwavering commitment to upholding them—whenever deemed necessary. We only hope that in the future, the spirit of fairness will be as evenly distributed as the responsibilities of governance," Choudhary said further. 

He thanked those who came in support of the event and admired their consistency. Choudhary concluded the statement with a "food for thought": "Pluralistic democracy and secularism both are made for each other, fits like a glove."