Jamia Millia Islamia was established in 1920 during the hay day of freedom struggle to promote education among the youth of Muslim minority to enable them to learn the contemporary sciences, and especially Oriental and Islamic subjects so that they become best specimen of Islamic civilization and best Indian citizens. This fact had been never in doubt that this was a minority Muslim institution established to produce good Muslim citizens who can claim their rightful place in the plural country and make their contribution towards building a strong nation on sound moral foundations. Legal experts are of the view that in the light of concrete facts Jamia has been and always would remain a minority institution, and even if Muslims want they cannot change this basic minority character.
Jamia was made a central university in 1988 through an Act of Parliament. Certain doubts were raised at that time itself when it was noted that in the Jamia Bill the names of its distinguished founders like Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad etc. were not mentioned. Obviously, the dishonest bureaucracy was at work.
Earlier, when UGC issued a notification in 1962 to give Jamia the status of a deemed university the following phrase was there: The Jamia shall promote and provide for the religious and secular education of Indians particularly Muslims. Unfortunately, this phrase was dishonestly not made a part of Central University Act of 1988.
All Muslim organisations, Jamia Teachers Associations, Jamia Minority Status Coordination Committee and several academic and social institutions have launched a united and powerful campaign demanding restoration of the minority status of Jamia. They have made up their mind to pursue their democratic and rational objective with utmost vigour. The Central Government must adopt a clear policy in this regard and should neither fear the reaction of fascist elements nor adopt delaying tactics. It has been pointed out by several experts that the minority status can be restored by just an executive order as it was done in the case of Hamdard University. No amendment to the original Act is necessary.
Sachar Committee Report and Justice Ranganath Misra Commission have amply laid bare the educational backwardness of this largest minority community of India. This is acting as a drag on the progress of the country. They have forwarded several suggestions to promote education among Muslims. Restoration of Jamia’s minority status will go a long way in promoting this cause. It would be also a confidence building measure for Muslims.
It is high time that the Central Government conceded to this just demand. This would be a right step in right direction towards promotion of higher education in Muslim community.