It could well be called an "extraneous noise", using a recently coined phrase, when Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders claim that without the generous donation of land by Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alumnus Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, the university's existence would have been impossible. For it is well known that AMU was established much before Raja Mahendra Pratap’s birth. The land, given on a lease of Rs 2 per year by Raja Mahendra Pratap, undoubtedly proved to be a big help in the extension and expansion of the varsity. AMU has a long list of donors and illustrious alumni who have generously contributed to the cause of setting up a University at Aligarh. However, it is not possible to commemorate all of their birthdays, as their number figures in thousands.
The latest controversy created by the local BJP unit in the name of Jat leader Raja Mahendra Pratap or Peter Peer Pratap is unfounded and baseless. This time RSS and BJP have not done their home work well. In a hurry to create a controversy at AMU, they have wrongly selected a very secular and left-leaning leader who always advocated the doctrine of communal harmony and peace, something that seems to be diametrically opposite to the world view propounded by the saffron outfits.
AMU has never been a platform for political clashes as we see now. It has always promoted the feeling of universal brotherhood and development of the nation. The root of this well-orchestrated drama lies somewhere else. Such politically immature efforts by communally extremist forces to demolish the secular fabric of this great seat of learning and education would have larger ramifications, and may lead to student unrest.