Waseem Raja, a professor from the history department of the university, has been accused of saying in a WhatsApp message that he sent to a TV channel that “maulanas are involved in such activities” and that the fortunes of Muslim youth will only change for the better if madrassas in the country are banned.

The professor has denied all allegations levelled against him, who has been teaching in AMU for the past three decades.

“I did not say anything like that, I have been part of SAARC conferences in the past and I have always spoken about reformation of the community. Are madarsas not part of the community? That does not mean I said such things, my phone was hacked and I have blocked the chat group now.” professor Waseem told TOI .

The students of Aligarh university have taken this issue to social media. Through comments, students have shown their strong disapproval against the professor’s comment.

“People like you spoil the name of the university. God has given you reason, so think before speaking,” a student said.

Rashid Shaz, director of AMU Bridge Course that deals with madrassa students, condemned Raja’s views and said, “Students of madrassas are very cultured and have standards of morality. One should show evidence before questioning them en masse.”