New Delhi, Mar 1: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi was reportedly not allowed to speak on controversial triple talaq issue at a seminar in the Jamia Millia Islamia University. Shazia Ilmi alleged that Jamia University put “pressure” on organisers of an event to drop her name from a panel of speakers for a seminar on triple talaq. However, the Jamia Millia Islamia University administration denied the charges. Also Read - Babri Masjid Demolition Case: Verdict on September 30; All Accused Including Advani, Joshi Asked to Be Present in Court

According to reports, BJP leader Shazia Ilmi was scheduled to attend a seminar at Jamia Millia Islamia University organised to discuss the controversial triple talaq issue on February 16. Shazia Ilmi is a Jamia Millia Islamia University alumnus. The event was then rescheduled for February 28 and the list of speakers changed by the organisers. They also changed the topic of the discussion from triple talaq to empowerment of Muslim women. Also Read - BJP Workers Offer 70-kg 'Laddu' at Coimbatore Temple Ahead of PM Modi's 70th Birthday

According to Shazia Ilmi, she was invited by RSS supported Forum for Awareness of National Security (FANS) to speak at a seminar on “Triple Talaq” and the university had pressurised the organisers to change the subject to “Muslim’s women’s empowerment: Issues and challenges” and drop her name from the speaker’s list. “The organisers barred me from speaking on triple talaq citing pressure from students’ body in Jamia Millia Islamia University. Students at Jamia Millia Islamia University don’t want any BJP leader to come and speak at the premier institution,” said Ilmi. Also Read - 'I Am With BJP-RSS Now, Will Control 'Goondagardi' Says Ex-Navy Officer Madan Sharma Who Was Attacked by Shiv Sena

“The event was not organised by the university or any of its department. The auditorium was rented out to the organisers and in such events the varsity has nothing to do with either the subject or choice of the speakers. It was not our prerogative,” a Jamia spokesperson said, denying allegations of pressurising the organisers. Programme convenor Shailesh Vats, however, said, “We had finalised the speakers and the subject but then we were advised by the university to make some changes saying the atmosphere in the universities is not conducive to have such a discussion.”

The development comes after an RSS-affiliated body Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) forced Ramjas College of Delhi University to axe a seminar due to the participation of Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid, charged with sedition last year. ABVP activists are also accused of beating up students, teachers and journalists during a protest march in the campus.

The clash of ABVP and AISA activists in Ramjas College once again triggered the debate on free speech and nationalism. Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, drew attention when she launched a social campaign against the ABVP on social media. However, Gurmehar Kaur, 20, from Lady Shri Ram College, said in a series of tweets that she was withdrawing from the campaign she ignited against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on social media and urged everyone to leave her alone.