Aligarh: A minor clerical error at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been blown out of proportion, turning into an unnecessary controversy that threatens to disturb the secular fabric of the institution. The issue erupted after a notice stating that “beef biryani” would be served at Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall on Sunday went viral on social media.
The university administration has firmly clarified that the notice contained a “typing error” and was not an official decision. However, despite this clear explanation, certain political figures and groups have seized the opportunity to create divisions and incite communal sentiments.
The AMU administration promptly distanced itself from the notice and issued a show-cause notice to those responsible for the mistake. A spokesperson stated, “It was a clerical error and not an officially approved menu change. The notice lacked administrative authorization and was immediately withdrawn.”
Despite this, some right-wing voices, including BJP leader and AMU alumnus Nishit Sharma, have attempted to politicize the matter. Sharma accused the university of encouraging radicalism, despite there being no evidence to support such claims. His statements appear to be a deliberate attempt to malign AMU’s image and create unnecessary communal tension.
It is evident that certain sections are exploiting this trivial mistake to target AMU and, by extension, the Muslim community. Such incidents, amplified by biased narratives, serve as distractions from real issues while attempting to vilify an institution known for its academic excellence and secular ethos.
The university has assured that steps are being taken to ensure such errors do not happen again. However, it is imperative to recognize how minor incidents are being used to stoke controversies that serve divisive agendas rather than fostering unity and understanding.
