In its latest dictate, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) administration, which has found the idea of removing Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait objectionable, has suspended an official for “felicitating” a Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) leader, the Indian Express ha reported.

The HJM leader, the university has alleged, was part of the “group of hooligans who shouted abuses and slurs against the University”.

“You were aware that the person (Mr Goswami) was part of the group of hooligans who shouted abuses and slurs against the University, students and staff on reaching Bab-e-Syed and you met him despite the situation in the campus. You have hurt the sentiments of the AMU fraternity, particularly students, who are sitting on a dharna demanding a probe in the matter,” the showcause notice read.

Issuing a show cause to the official, identified as weightlifting instructor Mazharul Qamar, the University said he had “hurt the sentiments of the AMU fraternity, particularly students, who are sitting on a dharna”.

Interestingly, AMU continues to refuse to remove Jinnah’s portrait despite multiple groups and individuals saying that its presence hurts their sentiments. Jinnah's name, these groups have claimed, is associated with partition and violence.

In his defence, the official has told the university administration that the organisers did not inform him about the HJM leader’s presence at the function.

“The university is not going to tolerate such actions. Qidwai will be given an opportunity to explain himself again when an inquiry will be conducted to decide on the future course of action,” University Public Relations in-charge Professor M Shafey Kidwai told the daily.