Will work for development of AMU: BJP MP Bharatendra Singh

After eyebrows were raised on his appointment to the highest governing body of Aligarh Muslim University, BJP MP Kunwar Bharatendra Singh today said that he will raise issues concerning the varsity in Parliament and work for the welfare of its students.

Singh, an MP from Bijnor, said, "I am happy for my election to the AMU court. My party has given me an opportunity to work for the university."

He said he would appeal to the Centre to provide financial assistance to AMU.

Singh is an accused in Muzaffarnagar riots' case and his appointment had drawn sharp reactions from varsity's community which described it as an attempt to "tamper" with its autonomy and special character.

Union HRD ministry's list of six members appointed to the AMU court from the Lok Sabha quota includes names of four BJP Lok Sabha members including Bharatendra Singh and Aligarh MP Satish Kumar Gautam, who had last year created tension in university by pitching for celebrations of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh's birthday on the varsity campus.