The Al-Falah University headquarters is unexpectedly bustling, but not with the usual student activity. The recent blast at Lal Qila and the subsequent arrests of several doctors associated with the university have cast a long shadow, turning this unassuming office into a focal point of intense curiosity and scrutiny.
Nestled in the labyrinthine lanes of Jamia Nagar, this office, despite its discreet location and lack of prominent signage, is now the center of attention. The question on everyone's mind: What is the connection between the university, the trust, and the individuals implicated in the blast?
While the university campus itself remains closed to outsiders, the headquarters is operating as usual. The security guard, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted a significant increase in visitors. "New people come every hour asking about the Trust," he shared. "Earlier, it was just students. Now, it's mostly media and locals, all curious about who's coming and going."
This administrative hub, typically dedicated to handling university paperwork, is now surrounded by more media representatives than students seeking admissions or assistance. The office employs a staff of 17 administrative personnel, including clerks, helpers, and senior staff.
Despite the heightened attention, the office remains open to the public. However, staff members have been instructed to remain tight-lipped about the incident. "We only assist students with admissions and documentation," explained Mohammad Razi, an administrative officer. He emphasized that the office has been operational since 1997 and serves as the university's legal and administrative arm.
The university is an initiative of the Al-Falah Charitable Trust. It began with an engineering college in 1997, followed by a teacher-training institute in 2006. It was officially recognized as a university in 2014, and its medical college opened in 2019.
On Wednesday, Al-Falah University in Faridabad issued a press release, denying any connection with the three staff members detained in connection with the blast. The statement also refuted claims of chemical storage or handling on campus.
"You can't really predict what someone does outside their workplace," said a staff member of the trust, reflecting on the incident. "The doctors involved were regular employees—no one could have imagined they would do something like this." They emphasized that it's unfair to hold the trust or the university accountable for individual actions.
"People come to my shop more often to ask for directions to the Al-Falah office than to buy anything," observed a local shopkeeper, illustrating the shift in the area's focus.
But here's where it gets controversial... The staff member also mentioned that the trust has been working for the people for so long.
Amid the curious onlookers and media personnel, two students entered the waiting area of the Al-Falah office. They waited to meet an administrative officer and inquired about the fees for the BA Economics course, explaining that they were late for admissions. After receiving answers to their queries, they left quietly.
"There are only a few individuals involved in the incident, not the university itself. So why should students think twice before choosing it?" said a third-year MBBS student of the university who had come to the office to inquire about her sister’s admission.
"Many incidents happen in different universities, but that doesn’t stop students from studying there," she added.
What do you think? Do you believe the university should be held accountable in any way? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
