The visually impaired students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) protested on August 18 and 19, 2025, at the campus against the alleged underutilisation of hostel accomodation and lack of special educators at the Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged. The protestors also demanded relaxation of the upper-age limit for admissions at the school.

The students have sent a Memorandum with the list of grievances to the Vice-Chancellor on August 18. They first submitted a written letter to concerned authorities, including the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, the Directorate of School Education, and the Disability Grievance Redressal Officer on May 1, 2024. The institute then formed a three-member committee to look into the grievances. Students allege that since the committee didn’t disclose its findings, they protested again.

The committee included: Mohammed Azam Khan Sir, Deputy Director, Department of Economics; M.K. Pundir Sir, Disability Unit Coordinator, Department of History; Faisal Nafees Sir, Principal, STS School. “This committee did not include a single visually impaired member, which we believe compromised its ability to fully understand and address the specific challenges faced by visually impaired students”, says Mohammed Aslam, one of the protestors.

Vacant hostels

The students have complained that hostels are not only not filled to their capacity, but students are also being denied accommodation despite availability. In the letter, the students claim that despite a potential capacity to accommodate approximately 160 students in the boys’ and girls’ hostels, only around 40 students reside there. “It has come to our notice that numerous visually impaired students who are in significant need of hostel facilities are being denied accommodation despite the availability of vacant rooms”, says the letter.

The students allege that those already residing in the hostels are being compelled to become non-residential, sometimes for unsubstantiated reasons. “We have also come to know of instances where parents are allegedly being pressured to sign declarations stating their child’s voluntary decision to become a day scholar, potentially under duress and apprehension regarding character or transfer certificates”, the letter says.

Age relaxation in admission

The protestors also request a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for admission for persons with disabilities, instead of the current two-year relaxation. “A five-year age relaxation is necessary to align with the legal provisions of the RPWD Act, ensuring that visually impaired children who may have faced educational delays can still access age-appropriate schooling.”, says Mr. Aslam.

Lack of educational staff

The students also allege a violation of Section 3 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, due to a lack of sufficient educators proficient in Braille and the alleged absence of adequate special educators, trained staff, and inclusive learning tools. “Braille serves as the primary medium for reading, writing, and academic instruction in the visually challenged school. However, concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of teaching support and training to ensure students achieve proficiency in Braille”, the letter says.

Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged was founded by Late Sahebzada Aftab Ahmad Khan in 1927. The Aligarh Muslim University started giving financial assistance to the school in 1947 and finally took over its management in 1949.

The Hindu reached out to Aligarh Muslim University for details on the matter, but the institute did not issue a statement.