First Get Minority Status, Then Go For Amu Centres: Mohammad Adeeb

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) authorities stand divided over the issue of establishing AMU centres in different parts of the country. One group is eying on the benefits of the centres as it would make the university more accessible to the students in the interior, whereas the other group says that the establishment of centres would strip AMU of its Muslim heritage. In order to get a better view of the situation, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, on September 15, invited Mohammad Adeeb, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and alumni of AMU, to throw light on the seemingly deadlock.
Mr. Adeeb took a detour and delved into the history of AMU which came into existence as a result of the endeavours of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Being established by the Muslims, there was a consensus that it should maintain its Muslim culture. As the university was yet to get minority status, 50 per cent reservation for locals was introduced in the university so as to maintain the strength of Muslims.
Coming to the issue of AMU centres, he outright rejected the proposal of AMU centres and maintained that it would be more of a loss for AMU as a whole rather than any gain. Mentioning the preamble of AMU which clearly says that it would be a residential university and hence there can be no affiliation beyond 15 Km of its radius, he said there is no provision under the law to establish centres of AMU.
He expressed apprehension over the presence of two RSS colleges in the vicinity, who would jump for affiliation the moment it starts establishing centres beyond 15 Km radius and under the provision of law, nothing could be done to prevent the affiliation. “The affiliation of RSS colleges by AMU would strip the university of its Muslim culture and its heritage,” he said.
“If one wants to establish the centres of AMU, they should only be established after the university gets the minority status as then we would legally be able to guarantee 50 per cent intake of Muslims,” he added.
“Why have the Muslims stopped thinking? Why have they become so short-sighted?” he lamented as people accuse him by calling him enemy of AMU. He reiterated that he is not against the centres but they should be established only after the university clinches the minority status.