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New Delhi, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), one of India’s premier institutions, has been significantly impacted by what many see as the BJP’s sectarian and extremist political strategies. This shift reflects a broader trend affecting several Muslim-majority universities across India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
According to Kashmir Media Service, over the last decade, under Modi’s administration, AMU and similar institutions have experienced increased political tensions and incidents of violence, attributed to the BJP’s divisive political narrative. This atmosphere has been exacerbated by Modi’s recent anti-Muslim statements, which were reiterated during a campaign speech for Aligarh MP Satish Gautam.
PhD scholars and students at AMU have expressed concerns that the educational environment at the university has been compromised by political agendas focused more on extremism than on addressing employment issues. They argue that the BJP has exploited the education sector uniquely, pointing to a lack of job advertisements for primary teachers over the last five years and accusing the party of nepotism in the appointment to government posts.
The critique extends beyond employment to the manipulation of public examinations and government recruitment, suggesting corruption and favoritism, particularly following recent government exam paper leaks in Uttar Pradesh.
The political climate around AMU has also seen controversies such as the objections raised by BJP workers to a picture of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah displayed at the student union office and accusations of promoting Taliban ideology and harboring terrorists following student expressions of support for Palestine.
Moreover, the university has witnessed severe responses to student activism, including police crackdowns on protests against the Citizenship Bill in 2019, which led to several students being charged and detained.
Comparative grievances have also been noted, highlighting a perceived double standard in how protests are handled at institutions like Banaras Hindu University versus AMU, pointing to a broader narrative of minority discrimination in the country.