Situation in Darul Uloom Deoband is tense

By Manzar Bilal,

Classes resumed today but students’ dharna continues



New Delhi: The situation at Darul Uloom Deoband is tense since Surat-based Maulana Ghulam Muhammed Vastanvi was elected rector of the seminary. The incident occurred on evening of the Jan 23rd was worst in this regard with clash between students and administration halting educational activities there.

On Sunday evening a number of students gathered outside of Darul Uloom guest house where Maulana Vastanvi was staying. They were raising slogans against newly elected rector and also those members of Majlis-e-Shura (Advisory Committee) who elected him to the post.

Later, agitating students halted the educational activities at the seminary by locking all gates and cutting supply of electricity. Initially, several attempt by the teachers failed to cool the angry students who were demanding resignation from Maulana Vastanvi. They said that a person who facilitated a political leader with idol (referring to a incident where Maulana offered a picture of a Hindu deity to a Muslim minister) and who has praised Narendra Modi did not deserve for the respected post of the seminary.

According to an official of the seminary speaking to TwoCircles.net, on condition not to disclose his name, that after the intervention of some teachers the students were about to give up their way of agitation and convey their demand to the members of Majlis-e-Shura for sacking Maulana Vastanvi from the post instead.

“The tense situation turned ugly when Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, Deputy Rector of Darul Uloom, allegedly beat one of the agitating students Mohammad Qasim Dehlavi,” informed the official.

According to reporst two other students were also beaten by administration for their active involvement in the agitation. This boiled the students’ anger and they locked the doors of all classes and gates of campus and protested against the cruelty done by the administration.

However, though the situation is tense at the seminary, it is under control and no unwanted incident has occurred today. They security of the guest house has been tightened where Maulana Vsstanvi is staying currently. Today students attended classes but after classes they again sat on dharna demanding removal of Maulana Vastanvi.

However, according to sources, Maulana Vastanvi has support from some students hailing from Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Notably, soon after being elected rector of India’s largest seminary Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Ghulam Muhammed Vastanvi has been facing objection from the several people attached to Darul Uloom. His words that appear to endorse Gujarat Chief Minister earned him criticism from several Muslims.