Olympic Winner, Hockey Captain Zafar Iqbal Says ‘Muslim’ In AMU Is Source Of Controversy And Better Be Dropped

Former Indian Hockey Team Captain and Olympian Zafar Iqbal has said that the word ‘Muslim’ must be dropped from the name of the name of Aligarh Muslim University to end all ‘political controversies’ shrouding it, as reported by TOI.

Zafar Iqbal, who is an alumni of the University, won the Gold medal in Moscow Olympics in 1980. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the ongoing North Zone Inter-Varsity Hockey (men) Tournament 2018-19 in Aligarh on Friday (23 November).

He lamented the seeping of politics in all domains of life and said that sports was an area that had so far remained immune from politicisation.

“Without unity, teams cannot win,” said Iqbal, adding that players never think of their religion or caste but only the country and that’s why we continue to win.

The hockey player said that people had forgotten the meaning of the song “hindu banega na musalman banega.. insan ki aulad hai insan banega..” (Neither Hindu, Nor Muslim, the child of a human should become humane) adding, “majority of my friends are Brahmins and we have never thought of anything but friendship”.

The Olympian also criticised the unbecoming comments of political leaders towards the university pointing out that it had given the country brightest minds in several fields including sports.

Iqbal also said, “The country can only progress in a peaceful atmosphere, but there is a lack of calmness and this is a reason of rift”. He said that the word Muslim in the University’s name has been a cause of controversy so it will be for the better if it is dropped.