The authorities of Assam University in Silchar have denied permission for students to conduct an iftar party on its campus, saying religious programs are not allowed within its premises.
The students, who had planned to organize Daawat-e-Iftaar on Saturday to mark the holy month of Ramadan, were forced to cancel the event due to a delay in obtaining permission.
Reacting to the matter, Assam University Registrar Pradosh Kiran Nath, in a statement denying permission, wrote, “This office doesn’t involve directly in religious matters and therefore cannot officially permit any religious activities.”
Reacting to the development, a member of the organizing committee and a master’s degree student, RK Azad Choudhury, said they respect the institution’s policies and its unwavering commitment to upholding them.
“With a heavy heart, we must inform you that Daawat-e-Iftaar will not be held at Assam University, Silchar, this year, as the authorities have denied us permission. The official reason? The university, we are told, does not allow any religious programs within its premises,” the statement read.
“Rules are rules, and we thoroughly understand. After all, maintaining a secular space requires absolute neutrality. And neutrality, as we see, is an art—an art where some colors shine brighter than others, some traditions blend in effortlessly, and some requests, unfortunately, just don’t fit the canvas,” it added.
