Heavy security at AMU ahead of President Kovind’s visit to Aligarh

President Ram Nath Kovind is slated to visit the Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday to attend the convocation ceremony of the varsity. Ahead of his visit, heavy security has been deployed at the university. Apart from local police, Rapid Action Force personnel have also been stationed.

A controversy had erupted with the announcement of Kovind attending the convocation ceremony of the AMU. The AMU students union had said that while they welcomed the President of India, they would not allow anyone with Sanghi mindset to enter the university.

"We are not opposing the President, but we oppose the 'Sanghi' mindset. In 2010, the President had said Muslims and Christians are alien to country that bothers us till date but we welcome him," AMU Student Union Secretary was quoted as saying by ANI.

"No other person with 'Sanghi' mindset will be allowed to enter, those coming as per protocol can come," the AMU student union leader had said.

President Ram Nath Kovind will is the chief-guest at AMU's 65th annual convocation. He had accepted the invitation extended to him by AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor. 

No Indian President has attended the AMU convocation ceremony in the past 32 years. Former President Giani Zail Singh had attended the AMU convocation in 1986.

Prior to him, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad had attended the event in 1976. Dr S Radha Krishnan was the chief-guest in 1966 and Dr Rajendra Prasad attended the 1951 convocation of AMU, according to media reports.