Historic Holi: For First Time, Students Celebrate Festival Of Colours At AMU Campus

Aligarh: For the first time ever, students at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh got the opportunity to play Holi inside the campus, with official permission from the varsity administration.

Amid long-standing demand of the students and subsequent protest against the AMU administration, a go-ahead was given for organising the festival at the NRSC (Non-Residential Students Center) Club from 12 noon to 3 PM on Thursday, which saw participation of dozens of revelers. Earlier, demands to celebrate Holi at the AMU campus had been raised quite often, but authorities never granted permission citing various reasons. This time, however, as protests gained momentum with intervention of several political leaders, the administration allowed celebrations in a controlled environment.

During the event, the AMU administration and police remained fully alert and ensured that strict security arrangements are in place outside the campus, to prevent any untoward incident.

Holi Played In NRSC Club

Nearly 50 students gathered from 12 noon to 3 PM at AMU's NRSC Club which was specially chosen for the occasion. Students got drenched in colours, danced to music and exchanged greetings. Many students expressed excitement after receiving permission to play Holi for the first time in AMU. "For the first time in the history of AMU, all of us played Holi with permission from the administration. This will strengthen the tradition of celebrating different cultural festivals and promote mutual brotherhood and harmony," said a student.

The students stated that though the permission came after several years of requests and protests, they were grateful after administration's nod this year. "The administration should have given permission to play Holi earlier. After a long time, finally permission was given. The AMU administration changed the date of celebration but the festive vibe is still there among the students. Today's event will foster brotherhood in AMU. With AMU having official Holi holiday on March 13-14, most of the students have already left for their homes. Still, around 50 students gathered to play Holi here," said Akhil Kaushal, a student.

Speaking on the 'historic first' at AMU, NRSC Hall chief BB Singh said that permission is only required for something which is not permitted. Holi has always been celebrated in AMU and this time it's no different, Singh said.

AMU authorities and police thoroughly kept an eye on the venue to ensure that only AMU students played Holi and no outsider entered the premises, he added.

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