The Al Falah University in Haryana's Faridabad has been under the radar of central security agencies ever since several doctors linked to the institution were arrested earlier this month in connection with a white collar terror module case.
Also, the university's false accreditation and recognition claims have prompted an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency claimed that the institution had generated proceeds of crime worth Rs 415 crore by fraudulently inducing students to join it.
The fresh developments and controversies have left hundreds of students at Al Falah University worried, as they fear that the terror tag of the institution would create a lifelong stigma for them. Students and parents are now demanding a renaming and rebranding of the institution, reported The Tribune.
“Search Al Falah on Google and all you find are stories linking it to terrorists," an MBBS student told the newspaper. He lamented that his course costs around Rs 1 crore, so the authorities must take accountability for their future.
The student further claimed that many of his seniors who wanted to pursue specialisations in Europe were denied admission at the last moment.
Another student, who wants to pursue his higher studies in London, alleged that the university had threatened them against speaking to the media.
"I have maintained good scores, but now my counsellor tells me I won’t even be able to apply to most institutions as they have barred Al Falah," he said.
According to a PTI report, several parents reached the university on Saturday and sought intervention and clarity regarding the academic and professional future of their children.
They also submitted a letter expressing concern over the future of the university.
"We had some doubts regarding the future of our children who are pursuing MBBS and have nothing to do with any type of terror module. We have given representation to the management, which they have received and assured us verbally that our children's future is safe and the college will not be closed," Khushpal Singh, a parent of an MBBS student, told the news agency.
Al Falah University hit headlines after the November 10 car blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, in which 13 people were killed and over 30 others were injured.
The man who drove the vehicle was identified as Umar Un Nabi, a doctor at Al Falah University. He reportedly evaded arrest when a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police busted a terror module in Faridabad, just days before the blast, and arrested several people, including three doctors at the university.
