Amid growing apprehension among the minorities on the government’s move to encroach upon educational rights of the minorities, the Welfare Party of India organised a national seminar on “Educational Rights of Minorities – A Litmus Test for Justice,” at Indian Law Institute on 5 February to inform people about the motive of the government and the possible consequences thereafter.
Abdullah Azzam, Former President, AMUSU in his introductory speech, outlined the history and the background of the university to open up the debate in order to find ways and means for the ongoing legal tussle behind restoration of minority character of AMU and other minority educational institutions. In the seminar, socio-political leaders expressed deep concern over the stand taken by the Modi government in the Supreme Court in the case pertaining to awarding minority status to the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University.
Mr. Pramod Kureel, Former MP and President Bahujan Age, while highlighting the policy failure of the successive governments said that with the present educational policy the deprived and the marginalised sections of the society, including minorities will enter into the dark tunnel and if such policies continue for 5 or 10 years more then all minorities, Dalits will be shattered.
Dr. Mohammad Rafat, Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said that RSS is influencing judiciary and various other departments of the government. They want to amend and change all Articles that were incorporated in the Constitution for advancement and safeguards of the minorities.
Most of the speakers pointed out that dilution of minority status of AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia is nothing but a well-planned assault on democratic pluralism and social inclusion aimed at ameliorating the minority community further and pushing them on the brink.
Mr. Ravi Nair, Director, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, asked the audience as well as the community leaders to take up the issue locally and internationally in the UN and UNESCO in order to put more pressure on the government.
Mani Shankar Aiyer, an MP and former Union Minister, argued that the establishment of AMU should not only be seen as establishment of an institution but rather it has larger connotation which is the establishment of our Bharat. Aiyar categorically said so long there is diversity in our country there will be unity. He questioned that if Parliament accepted the word Muslim in Aligarh Muslim University, how can we say that it is not a minority institution.
John Dayal, a Social and Human Rights activist, said that minority institutions are the crucible of nation building and collective efforts should be made to preserve, protect and promote them.
Delivering his presidential address, Welfare Party of India national president Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas said extending special consideration in socio-educational fields to minorities is not appeasement but strengthening the nation as it empowers its weak organs and gives a balanced growth. Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India gives all religious and linguistic minorities the right to set up and run educational institutions of their choice which includes schools, colleges and universities. This is an absolute fundamental right and not bracketed by any ifs and buts. The law guarantees that the government will not discriminate in giving aid on the basis of their being minority institutions.
Speaker after speaker emphatically and forcefully conveyed their anger and resentment over the steps taken by the Modi government to take away the rights of minorities and marginalised groups and for keeping them from progress and development. “No society can progress wherein the minorities and weaker sections feel insecure and alienated. The AMU and the Jamia Millia Islamia were initiated by the then leaders of the community to bring them at par with mainstream communities. It was also part of an effort to annul the backwardness inflicted on the community by the patriotism-driven boycott of British educational system during the freedom movement,” they clarified.
Niyaz Ahmed Farooqi, Secretary Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, said the Supreme Court has put some specific questions and we will have to come out with specific answers to take up the case convincingly and effectively. Prof Anand Kumar of Swaraj Abhiyan appreciated the initiative of the Welfare Party of India and extended full support. The programme was compered by Fawad Shaheen.