A well dug by Hindu and Muslim students in premises of Aligarh

Muslim University in 1878 still spreads message of communal harmony.  Presently, the well is not in use, but it continues to spread the feeling of brotherhood and communal harmony.

The well was dug up in 1878 by Hindu-Muslim students of the first batch of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), earlier known as the Mohammadan Anglo Oriented College.

During that time the Hindus students did not prefer drinking water from 'Mashaq'.  As a symbol of brotherhood, members of both the community came together and dug a well in college.

"Sir Syed took care of everybody's feeling, he initiated to build a well for the non-Muslim community.  With the help of both Hindus and Muslims this well was made which came up as a symbol of Secularism," said Dr. Rahat Abrar, the PRO of AMU.

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Arjun Singh who was conferred honorary degree by the university, while delivering his convocation address mentioned the work done by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and also about the well dug by the first batch of the college.

"Sir Syed's vision was not a narrow and an exclusive one; it was broad and all-inclusive.  That is why, he referred to the two wells in your University's Mosque, dug by the first batch of the thirteen college students led by Raja Mahendra Pratap as the two eyes of Hindus and Muslims, without which the beautiful bride that is India, will be one-eyed and ugly," said Arjun Singh, Union HRD Minister.

The students of this college blames the political parties for destroying the communal harmony in the country.  "I think all these (Communal riots) things are done by the politicians and every citizen of the country should understand this because if it continues it will destroy the whole country and that should be avoided," said Junnaid Tayyad, a student.  (ANI)