AGRA: Former

Captain and Olympian,

, who is an alumni of

(AMU) has said that all the political controversies shrouding the varsity will seize if the work “Muslim” is removed from its name.

Iqbal, who will be the guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the ongoing North Zone Inter-Varsity Hockey (men) Tournament 2018-19 in Aligarh on Friday, was reacting to the statements of certain BJP leaders who have dubbed AMU as a seminary of terrorists. Talking to TOI, Iqbal said its “absolutely” incorrect for political leaders to make such comments as this university had not only given some of the brightest minds of the country but has also produced a dozen Olympians in the field of hockey.

"Players like

(Los Angeles Olympics 1932),

(Berlin Olympics 1936), Lt. A Shakoor (London Olympics 1948), Madan Lal (London Olympics 1948), Lateef-ur Rehman (Olympian, London 1948), Jogendra Singh (Olympian Rome 1960, Asian Games 1962, Tokyo 1964 Gold Medalist),

(Olympian Tokyo (Japan) 1964 Gold Medalist), Inamur Rehman (Olympian Mexico 1968), B P Govinda (Olympian Munich 1972), Aslam Sher Khan (Olympian Munich 1972), and Akhtar Husain Hayat (Olympian London 1948 Gold Medalist), are all products of this veryvarsity, said Iqbal, who won the Gold medal in Moscow Olympics in 1980.

The legendary Iqbal 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 the word Muslim in the University’s name has become a bone of contention so it will be for the better if the work is dropped.

Regretting that politics had creeped into almost all spheres of life, Iqbal said sports in the only field that remains unaffected by this virus so far. “Without unity, teams cannot win,” said Iqbal, adding that everywhere people are being isolated, but players still never think of their religion or caste but of the country.

Recalling his college days, when he was a civil engineering student in the 70s, Iqbal said, “Riyaz Miya used to cook food for the players and everyone was just eating instead of thinking that who cooked it”. He said that nothing has still changed in the field of sport and that is the reason why we continue to win.

"Our thinking is completely different from the common man and that is the reason, majority of my friends are Brahmin and we have never thought of anything except friendship,” he said adding that the country was still suffering from British legacy of divide and rule.

"People have forgotten the very popular song- ‘Na Hindu banega, na musalman banega… Insan ki aulad hai Insan banega”, he said adding that politicians are only hiding their own failures by highlighting baseless issues and raking controversies. He said instead of changing names of cities, the politicians should concentrate on development and making hospitals, schools and roads.

He said it’s unfortunate that despite the fact that AMU has produced renowned personalities in every field, including arts, acting, writing, sports and science, but the general impression is still there that “here we still study on wooden and stone slates”.

President of AMU’s Hockey Club, Dr Sarvar Hashmi said those who know the university well, thoroughly appreciate its importance but those who don’t defame it for their vested interests. He said AMU’s hockey team has qualified for the All India Inter University tournament, which is to be held in December.