Press Release

ALIGARH October 2: The Officiating Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. S. Abrar Hasan today inaugurated a three-day exhibition of books and photographs on Mahatma Gandhi at the Maulana Azad Library. A large number of letters written by Mahatma Gandhi to the students and other AMU alumni freedom fighters are also put on display at the exhibition.



Delivering the presidential address at the Commemoration Meeting, Prof. S. Abrar Hasan said that the world has to realize that it is the need of hour to implement Gandhian values to achieve peace and prosperity. He further emphasized that we have to shun violence and violent means to achieve our goals and follow the path of ahimsa as shown to us by the Father of the Nation. He was the man whose teachings transcend times, borders, races and religions and it is the moral duty of every Indian to keep the spirit alive.


Prof. Hasan said that Mahatma Gandhi is the one of the greatest leaders that the world has ever seen. His unending belief in non-violence helped India achieve freedom from British rule by humbling British empire with the power of ahimsa. It was the impact of Mahatma Gandhi’s observance that United Nation had to unanimously declare October 2 as International Non-violence Day.



Prof. Hasan observed that Mahatma Gandhi was always in favour of communal harmony and he wanted the people to understand that religious unity can only be brought about if it is based on equal respect for all religions. Such a mindset will not only remove the discord among the various groups but also lead to the realization of the fact that religion is in fact a stabilizing force and not a disruptive one.



Professor Emeritus Irfan Habib devoted his speech to what he called Gandhi Ji’s finest last six months of his life highlighting the way he stood up alone against the current and ultimately gave up his life in the struggle against inter-communal slaughter. Prof. Habib felt it is the day that the country should express its sense of gratitude to the unique great man.


Prof. Qazi Afzal Husain, Dean, Faculty of Arts spoke on the thought process of Gandhi Ji and said that Gandhi Jayanti should be celebrated as International Peace and International Justice Day as well.


AMU Registrar, Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel highlighted the role of Gandhi Ji against untouchability that prevailed in Indian society on the basis of caste and religion and said that Aligarh Muslim University has been celebrating the Gandhi Jayanti with great fervor and zeal.


Mr. Mohammad Naiyer Rahman, a student of M. Com and Ms. Sumaiyah Naaz, student of BA Final also expressed their views on the occasion. At the end of the programme the officiating Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hasan administered an oath to the audience.