Aligarh: On the eve of Holi, a festival cherished by Hindus, a disturbing incident unfolded at Aligarh Muslim University. Hindu students, seeking to observe the festive occasion peacefully, were met with hostility and violence from extremist elements within the campus community.
Despite obtaining permission from the administration to celebrate Holi on campus, Hindu students faced opposition from individuals espousing extremist ideologies. Late into the night, these elements resorted to intimidation tactics, warning students against participating in the festivities and raising baseless objections to the celebration of Holi within the campus premises.
Tensions reached a boiling point on the morning of March 21 when a planned assault targeted Hindu students gathered at the designated Athletic ground. A mob of around 400 individuals, including both students and outsiders, launched a brutal attack armed with illegal weapons such as automatic pistols, "desi-guns" (tamancha), and sticks. The assailants subjected Hindu students to merciless beatings and verbal abuse, with reports of sexual assault and harassment against female students emerging amid the chaos.
Eyewitnesses have pointed out the passive stance taken by the administration, including the Proctor, who remained silent bystanders during the ordeal. This has raised concerns regarding their complicity or negligence in preventing the violence.
Several students sustained severe injuries, necessitating hospitalization due to the intensity of the attack. A female student, recounting the terrifying experience, expressed shock at being subjected to such brutality during what was supposed to be a joyous celebration. She highlighted the systemic discrimination faced by minority Hindu students, echoing the sentiments of others who feel marginalized and treated as second-class citizens on campus.
This incident sheds light on a troubling trend of religious intolerance and discrimination, where minority communities become targets of violence based on their beliefs.
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