Hyderabad: The Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Students’ Union has opposed the half day holiday given on January 22 for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir celebrations.. The union, led by Mateen Ashraf, said it was a deliberate attempt by the BJP-led government to infiltrate and saffronise educational spaces, particularly university environments.
The union said the move not only contradicted India’s secular ethos but also posed a significant threat to the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution. The students argued that the government’s actions reflect a larger agenda to establish a Hindu Rashtra, with the RSS exerting influence over educational institutions.
“Academic institutions thrive on autonomy, freedom of thought, tolerance, and a pluralistic approach to education, and any attempt to align these spaces with Hindutva ideology threatens the core principles of university life,” Ashraf said.
The union urged the university administration to “uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic freedom that have defined Maulana Azad National Urdu University.” They extended a plea to the broader student community, faculty, and concerned citizens to unite against any influence that compromises the secular fabric of educational institutions.
