The very mention of AMU reawakens a host of sweet memories of the eventful past of Indian Muslims. It was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the visionary leader, who in the wake of death, destruction and frustration wrought by the failure of First War of Independence 1857, conceived and gave shape to an agenda for providing modern education to the Indian Muslims. It was his exemplary dedication and sincere struggle which resulted in the opening of MAO College in 1875 as the base for the future Muslim University. Sir Syed died in 1898, and some 22 years after his death in 1920, his College became a full fledged university. The University became the nursery of future Muslim leaders and intellectuals.
Now the 15 crore strong Muslims of India are getting education in more than 300 universities of India. Yet AMU holds a special place and is regarded as the most prestigious educational institution being run and controlled by them.
The events in September 2007 shook the university once again and it was in the news for wrong reasons. One innocent and intelligent student, Mazhar Nayeem was done to death in the night of September 16, by some outside gangsters, while he was returning from Taraweeh prayer. Naturally the students felt hurt and agitated and marched to Vice-Chancellor’s House. The conspirators, who were at work, took the lead and instigated the students to burn Vice-Chancellor’s House and loot the valuables. They also extensively damaged the Staff Club and Proctor’s Office. It was most painful, most shameful and unbecoming of the students of this reputed seat of learning which is looked upon as a centre of Islamic learning and a symbol of Muslim heritage. This question should be answered by Muslim youth who indulged in violence as to why they fell prey to the machinations of the conspirators.
You can see a renaissance in almost all university campuses. By and large, there is peace and discipline. There is a thriving academic atmosphere and all out efforts to achieve educational excellence. Why it is not so in AMU? Why some students of AMU are swept away by raw sentiments and why they allow themselves to be taken for a ride? Does not Islam teach them to be restrained and patient in difficult situations? We require a strong sense of self assessment and a strong dose of self discipline. Is it sensible to become our own enemies and allow others to laugh at us.
More painful was the attitude of our daughters, the daughters of Muslim Ummah who are so dear to us. On September 11 a serious allegation of misbehaviour with a girl resident of Abdullah Hall was made, which was enquired into and later found to be baseless. On the following day our daughters, instigated by irresponsible elements and joined by male students also, marched towards the Administrative Block and thoroughly vandalised it. Devil might have been smiling on these most unfortunate and most shameful events.
It is time for searching our hearts, turning to God, remembering our past, and atoning for our indecent and deplorable behaviour. If we are not ready to discipline ourselves, nobody can discipline us. If we want to destroy ourselves, no one can save us. The reform must come from within.
Politicians are playing their dirty games and fishing in the troubled waters. Irresponsible elements, who are well-entrenched in AMU Hostels are busy in implementing their nefarious designs.
Dear sons and daughters of AMU! Take pity on yourselves and on the Indian Muslim Ummah. Keep your cool, never indulge in violence and behave in the way Islam prescribes in confused situations. And respected Vice-Chancellor! Throw out unruly elements and restore the dignity and honour of the Muslim University. The Indian Muslims and the entire civil society of India is behind you.