The legal notice, issued through JKSA's legal counsel, Advocate Shakir Mushtaq Parray, has been served on behalf of National Convenor Nasir Khuehami and National Spokesperson Dr Zubair Reshi.Uttar Pradesh Minister Thakur Raghuraj Singh.The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has served a legal notice on Uttar Pradesh Minister Thakur Raghuraj Singh over his alleged controversial remarks describing Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) as "hotbeds of terrorism" and "terrorist hubs", while threatening to shut down the two institutions.The JKSA has sought an unconditional public apology, withdrawal of the statements and a written assurance from the minister that he would refrain from making similar remarks in the future.The legal notice, issued through JKSA's legal counsel, Advocate Shakir Mushtaq Parray, has been served on behalf of National Convenor Nasir Khuehami and National Spokesperson Dr Zubair Reshi.It refers to an interview given by Singh on November 10, 2026, during which he allegedly branded the two prominent Central universities as centres of terrorism and threatened their closure. JKSA said the remarks were irresponsible and particularly concerning coming from a person holding ministerial office.It maintained that such statements could create an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility towards students, researchers, faculty members and alumni associated with the institutions.
Highlighting the presence of thousands of students from Jammu and Kashmir in universities across the country, including AMU and Jamia, JKSA said branding these institutions as terrorist hubs could expose students to prejudice, profiling, harassment and discrimination.National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said elected representatives holding constitutional and ministerial responsibilities must exercise restraint and avoid rhetoric that stigmatises educational institutions and their students."AMU and Jamia are prestigious Central universities that have made immense contributions to India's education, research, public service and nation-building. Labelling them as hotbeds of terrorism and questioning the patriotism of their students is deeply damaging," Khuehami said.He added that educational institutions should remain spaces of learning, dialogue and intellectual engagement rather than become targets of communal narratives.He also stressed that no student should have to prove their patriotism because of the university they attend or their regional or religious identity.JKSA further described AMU and Jamia as integral to India's educational heritage and national fabric, citing their contributions across political, administrative, academic, sporting and cultural fields.It said the minister's remarks were an affront to generations of students, scholars and alumni who had contributed to the country.MINISTER’S PREVIOUS CONTROVERSIAL REMARKSThe legal notice also refers to Singh's previous alleged statements targeting madrasas and Muslims.These include his November 2021 description of madrasas as "hideouts of terrorists" and subsequent remarks in November 2025 allegedly calling AMU a "hub of terrorists" and claiming that educated Muslims become bigger terrorists.According to the notice, the minister has failed to provide credible documentary, judicial or official evidence to substantiate his allegations.It invokes relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to promoting enmity, prejudicing national integration and criminal defamation.JKSA has given Singh seven days from the receipt of the notice to formally retract his statements, apologise unconditionally to students, researchers, faculty members and alumni of both universities, and furnish the evidence supporting his allegations.It has also sought a written undertaking against making or circulating similar statements in the future.Khuehami said JKSA would pursue legal remedies if the minister failed to comply within the stipulated period.These could include criminal proceedings under the BNS, approaching the Superintendent of Police and the competent Judicial Magistrate under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and seeking appropriate relief from the Allahabad High Court or the Supreme Court under Articles 226 and 32 of the Constitution.The legal notice marks a further escalation in JKSA's opposition to the minister's remarks, following its earlier demand for his removal from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet and registration of an FIR.JKSA has indicated that it is prepared to pursue the matter through legal channels if Singh does not respond within the seven-day deadline.- Ends