Aligarh Muslim University convocation row: Not against President Kovind, but no 'sanghi' please, says student union

An invitation to President Ramnath Kovind for the 65th annual convocation ceremony of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has ruffled some feathers amongst the student union, which has warned against the attendance of any member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the event.

The student union Secretary Mohammad Fahad has written to the AMU administration regarding the issue with inviting the President, and warned that "no 'sanghi' (RSS member) politician would be allowed to enter the university premises and the students would stage a protest" if this happens.

"We are not opposing the President, we oppose the 'sanghi' mindset. Our President had given a statement about Muslims and Christians in 2010, saying 'Muslims and Christians are alien to this nation'. So, I would like to remind him that the statement sill stings the students of Aligarh MU, but we respect him as the President and welcome him, but at the same time, we also warn him that no 'sanghi' person accompanying him would be allowed inside the university premises. Those coming as per protocol can come," student union Secretary Mohammad Fahad told ANI.

The convocation ceremony will be held on March 7.

RSS is a right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation, that is widely believed to be anti-Muslims.