New Delhi, Dec 20

Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Thursday held a protest here demanding that the university be declared a minority institution.

The students also demanded passing of the Anti-Communal Violence bill in its original form without amendments.

"All previous governments and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had herself assured the declaration of AMU as a minority institution. But so far the government has not taken any step," said Jasim Mohammad, secretary of the Millat Bedari Muhim Committee (MBMC) in Aligarh.

MBMC's Razaullah Khan said, "India is a secular country but some political parties are using communalism to consolidate their vote banks. Riots occur on a regular basis. So to contain communalism and riots, the Anti-Communal Violence Bill should be passed by parliament in its original form without any amendment."