Top Muslim organisation, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind has advised Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students union to remove the portrait of Mohammad Ali Jinnah from Union Hall of the University.

In a statement, Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, while expressing his deep concern over the tense situation, said that it's not such an issue that requires insistence on the parts of the students. AMU has turned into a battleground between the university students union and right-wing organisations over the portrait. The students union has insisted on retaining the portrait of Jinnah leading to clashes.

"Our ancestors did not accept divisive policy of Mr. Jinnah and never regarded him as an ideal person, we opted to live in this country is a firm indication that we have rejected two-nation theory propounded by him," the cleric has said.

Madani has emphatically appealed to the students of AMU to remain calm and adhere to the ideals of secularism.

"Students should not let certain elements succeed in their nefarious design who have been trying to divert people's attention from the real issues facing the country," he said.

The cleric appealed to the students, "If you want to fail nefarious design of the communal forces, please do not remain adamant for installing Jinnah's portrait in the Union Hall."

Jamiat has also condemned police action perpetuated on protesting unarmed students of the university.