Aligarh district admn issues notices to 5 HJM leaders

ALIGARH:The Aligarh administration on Thursday issued notices to five Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) leaders, warning them that they should not be found within 50 metres radius of schools on Christmas day (December 25).

Additional city magistrate (ACM) Renu Singh issued notices to HJM leaders – Sonu Kavita, Sanju Bajaj, Amit Raja, Bablu Sunny and Punit Sharma under Sections 111,107 and 116 of the IPC with ₹1 lakh bond.

The notices were sent through Kawarasi police station warning HJM leaders that they should not be found within 50 metres radius of schools on Christmas day. If there’s any trouble in schools, they will be held responsible and legal action would be taken against them.

The HJM had recently sent letters to school managements stating that if Christmas celebrations

were held on campuses on December 25, they will be opposed. These letters were signed by local leaders of the outfit – Sonu Kavita, Sanju Bajaj, Amit Raja, Bablu Sunny and Punit Sharma.

After HJM’s warning became public and the media took up the issue, school and parent associations strongly opposed HJM’s stand. The ACM confirmed issuing notices to all five HJM leaders. On the other hand, SSP Rajesh Pandey asked police officials to bolster security arrangements in the city, especially in schools. The Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union (AMUSU) also opposed HJM’s warning to schools. AMUSU president Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani said, “The AMUSU is with minorities and it will be their voice.” AMUSU secretary Mohd Fahad stated: “If the patience of people runs out, what will happen in the country?”

Reacting to Fahad’s comment, the Hindu Mahasabha leaders submitted a complaint against AMUSU president and others in the Civil Lines police station, alleging that Fahad’s remarks were generating hatred against the Indian government.