After considering the globalisation in every walk of life and taking into account backwardness of Muslims in education and their limited resources, the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis embarked upon massive development in the campus and holy mission of establishing AMU Centres in five States. Fortunately, West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala readily came forward to establish such proposed centres but Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra continued their silence on the issue. Thus the University, under the leadership of Prof. Azis, went ahead to realise the dream of its founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. After approval of all the concerned bodies like Academic Council, Executive Council and Court and the President of India in her capacity as Visitor to AMU, ground work on three Centres i.e. Murshidabad (W. Bengal), Kishanganj (Bihar) and Mallapuram (Kerala) was speeded up.
The government of Kerala initiated the process of acquiring 400 acres land for the centre in Mallapuram district. The Government of Bihar also agreed to provide 250 acres of land in Kishanganj district. Likewise, the government of West Bengal has identified 355.67 acres under Jangipur Sub-Division of Murshidabad district. AMU team led by the VC has visited all the three states where they were welcomed by eminent citizens as well as common man because they were seeing realisation of their dream of quality education at their own doorsteps. AMU announced that centres of Murshidabad and Mallapuram will begin functioning from next academic session. Meeting of the Academic Council held on June 9 also approved to begin BALLB and MBA courses in the above mentioned two centres.
On the one hand, the VC along with his team was burning midnight lamps to establish and make functional maximum possible centres and on the other hand a group consisting of vested interests was playing its own game. AMU Old Boys Association, which has been captured by few people, began to opposing the very idea of establishing the centres in such far off regions. They announced to hold a meeting of likeminded people on June 19 at Aligarh instead of calling a Convention in a democratic way to discuss the issue from all angles. An old boy of the University, Advocate Z.K. Faizan filed a writ petition (Z.K. Faizan Vs AMU and others, 33872/2010) in the Allahabad High Court against the centres which will come up for hearing before the Chief Justice on July 5.
In the meantime, two-member Bench of Kerala High Court consisting Justice C.N. Ramachandaran Nayar and Justice P.S. Gopinathan has asked the AMU, State and Central governments to file legal viability of centres and available infrastructure therein within 10 days. The High Court delivered this order on a writ petition filed by a Senior Advocate of Kerala High Court K.Janardan (K.Janardan Vs AMU, Aligarh, writ no. 15091/2010).
It should also be recalled that the student wing of BJP, the ABVP was strongly opposing these centres and they had launched an agitation in Bihar to oppose the AMU centre at Kishanganj.
There is need to identify and analyse those who are opposing such a holy task of spreading education among deprived classes of India. Saner elements of Indian society and the majority of Muslims are in favour of establishment of AMU Centres because these Centres are being opened in those areas which are historically backward and deprived from all angles. The Hindutva brigade’s opposition is quite understandable because they do not want to see emergence of educationally empowered Muslim society. Unfortunately opposition is also coming from those who are old boys and bear Muslim names. It seems surprising but personally I am not surprised at all.
I am associated with AMU since 1969 in different capacities. In India, zamindari system might have been abolished but in AMU it was continuing. Only a handful people had captured the University and the Old Boys Association to reap rich harvest. I have no personal grudge against anyone of the office bearers of Old Boys Association but why all decisions are being taken among few? Why free old boys without lobby are not being given due representation? Why no audit of accounts of the Association has taken place for a long time? Why Convention of only likeminded old boys and why not a healthy debate on the issue?
There is another angle. As far as I could gather information, K.Janardan is a Senior Advocate of Kerala High Court, on whose writ petition the High Court has granted stay. He is also associated with a hardcore Hindutva organisation and perhaps may have filed the petition on the direction of ideological fathers.
It is shocking that some of the Muslims and Old boys are hand in glove with Hindutva brigade to oppose AMU Centres. Everybody has a right to support or oppose any issue but at the same time it should be logical, analytical and with a commitment for the betterment of the masses. Shaking hands with Hindutva brigade for some personal gains or in the zeal of opposing present Vice-Chancellor on every count is unpardonable.
Let us see why the establishment of proposed centres should be supported. The Aligarh Muslim University has never been a mere educational institution. The founder of the institution never wished it to be like an ordinary institution of higher learning. He wanted it to be a seat of learning and culture of truly national importance with all India character. In spite of some failings, AMU can look back with satisfaction and pride to the rich Contribution it has made to all walks of Indian life and thought. Its founder, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan said at the time of stone laying ceremony of MAO College: “From the seed which we saw today there may spring up a mighty tree, whose branches, like those of the Banyan of the soil, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth and themselves send fourth new and vigorous saplings. This college may expand into a university whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large hearted toleration and of pure morality.”
The AMU (Amendment) Act, 1981 has entrusted responsibilities on AMU to promote educational and cultural advancement among Indian Muslims. Discharging its legal and moral responsibilities, the AMU had established a Centre for Promotion of Educational and Cultural Advancement of Muslims of India (CEPECAMI) under section 5(2)(C) of AMU (Amendment) Act, 1981. This particular section confers on the AMU the power to carry out extension work of educating Muslim masses all over the country. That was the first step. Further the AMU decided to fulfil its responsibilities of empowering Muslim masses educationally under the very section of the same Act by establishing satellite centres.
We should face certain truth around that a system of evasion and concealment has been built, not only concealing vested interests but also shielding association with communal forces. Aligarians of goodwill are bound to be concerned over the fact that a particular lobby in AMU and some members of AMU Old Boys Association have joined hands with the Hindutva brigade to oppose every move of the present Vice-Chancellor without considering its plus points. The question is not simply one of establishment of centres; it relates to overall development of Muslim society and empowering our brothers educationally in remote areas. Closed creeds are a threat to both spirituality and humanity. They badly need some sort of glasnost and perestroika. Muslim masses can play an important role. It is high time we supported the AMU Vice-Chancellor and boycotted all those who are blocking AMU’s expansion or empowerment of Muslims. We must realise that we should pass on the legacy of Sir Syed and Aligarh Movement to our next generation.
[The writer is Aligarh based social and political commentator.]