Medical College, Waqf Board At Loggerheads Over Mosque On Campus

AGRA: SN Medical College authorities and the Waqf board officials are at loggerheads over construction work in a mosque on campus, near the boys' hostel. College management are worried that any expansion in the mosque could lead to a clashes between the devotees and college students even as Waqf board officials claimed that they were not expanding the premises and were only renovating the building. That the matter is taking a political hue was evident after Samajwadi Party leader Farukh Siyar intervened, backing the Waqf board officials and on Monday, members of Hindu Jagran Manch met SN Medical College principal Dr Ajay Agarwal, extending their support to the college administration.

Several Muslim leaders along with SP leader Faruk Siyar met SN Medical College authorities on Saturday and demanded permission for "expansion of the mosque". When Dr Ajay Agarwal refused to allow the expansion of the mosque, the SP leader reportedly threatened the principal to either allow the construction or be ready to quit his job.

On Monday, a group of members of Hindu Jagran Manch met the SN Medical College's principal, extending their support to the managment. The Manch members claimed that they did not want politicization of matters relating to an educational institution. Siyar has denied threatening the principal.

"We have already taken an appointment with the district magistrate who will be meeting us on June 6. The decision of the construction in the mosque will be taken by the DM and we will act accordingly," added Siyar.

"The waqf board officials and Muslim leaders are trying to disturb the peace in the city. We will not let this happen. We have extended our support to the college administration who in reply have said they will act as per the orders of the district administration," said Vivek Shukla, spokesperson, Hindu Jagran Manch.

Talking to TOI, Dr Agarwal said there is a temple, gurdwara and a mosque on college campus. The turnout at the gurdwara is not too big, hence the college administration has no problems with its existence. The temple witnesses a larger crowd and that is why college authorities have made another route for entry and exit of devotees to the temple, away from the route taken by students.

"The mosque is situated in the middle of the campus. Its expansion will lead to chaos as people from outside will come in contact with the students. We have already faced some untoward situations due to religious structures and we do not want any expansion of the mosque as the space is sufficient for students to offer prayers," added Dr Ajay Agarwal.

The students too stood by their principal along with the doctors of the medical college, who claimed that a nuisance would be created in the college premises if the mosque is expanded and outsiders allowed to offer namaz there.

"Outsiders from Muslim localities use to sit in the mosque for hours and tease girls, misbehave with the students and create chaos in the hostel premises. Even wardens of the hostel do not want the expansion of the mosque to maintain peace on college campus," said a student.