Pandey is reported to have termed the AMU students as ‘terrorists’ and the institution ‘a seminary for terrorists.’

The Allahabad High Court Thursday declined to quash the FIR against Hindu Mahasabha leader, Ashok Kumar Pandey, for passing communal slurs against Aligarh Muslim University and its Founder Sir Saiyed Ahmad Khan.

A division bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Rajendra Kumar-IV found that the allegations prima facie disclosed the commission of a cognizable offence under Sections 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.), 153-B( Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration.) and 505(2) [Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.] of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The bench also refused to grant a stay of the arrest.

The National spokesman of the Hindu Mahasabha, Ashok Pandey, wasbooked by Aligarh police for terming Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students as ‘terrorists’ and calling the institution ‘a seminary for terrorists’ in an interview.

Following a complaint lodged by the AMU authorities, the Civil Lines Police booked Pandey under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion), 153B (assertion prejudicial to national integration) and 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to the FIR, Pandey had also called AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan a ‘traitor’ and the university as “an institution being a classroom of terrorists” during an interview to a news channel.

The AMU authorities in the complaint said it could vitiate not only the atmosphere of the university but also spoil the communal harmony in the city.

“This statement was issued to hurt the sentiments of those who love AMU and a particular community in order to spread hatred between two communities,” said the FIR.