Withdraw invite to Modi: Jamia alumni tell V-C

An invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be chief guest at Jamia Millia Islamia’s annual convocation has triggered a controversy with a number of alumni demanding withdrawal of the invite, which the university has rejected.

Former students Asad Ashraf and Mahtab Alam have written to the vice-chancellor a letter which has been endorsed by over 50 registered members of the alumni association of JMI. They said their demand was in view of the comments made by Modi against the varsity in 2008.

However, Jamia spokesperson Mukesh Ranjan asserted that the invite will not be withdrawn.

“Jamia has been inviting constitutional authorities for its convocation since its inception. Similarly, an invite has been extended to the Prime Minister because of him being a constitutional authority who has also been elected by the people of India,” he said.

“The students or the alumni are free to have their opinion in the democratic country but we are looking forward to host Modi at the university and will announce the convocation date as soon as we get a suitable time from him,” Mr Ranjan added.

In the letter, the former students said, “We are writing to you to express our deep anguish and grief on your invitation to Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at annual convocation. We are anguished and shocked because, he along with his party members, has been constantly involved in spreading rumours and hatred about the university.

“We have a very simple request to you, withdraw the invitation or at least ask him to render a public apology about his own malicious and incorrect statement before he attends the convocation.”

Jamia had earlier this month sent the invite to Mr Modi. However, the varsity is yet to receive any acceptance or acknowledgement from the PMO in this regard.