South Asian Minorities Lawyers Association (SAMLA) organised a symposium on “Recent developments at AMU – Repercussions” at Indian Law Institute in the Capital on on May 29.
After due deliberations, it was felt that despite the report prepared by Principal Accountant General ( Civil Audit, Uttar Pradesh) on behalf of C&AG of India which says that there is no financial irregularity in the process of managing and utilisation of finances in AMU, the urgency with which MHRD, at the behest of some vested elements, recommended enquiry on frivolous grounds, is shocking and has hurt the sentiments of the minority community, Feroz Khan Ghazi, Secretary General of SAMLA said in a press statement.
It was further resolved at the symposium that a formal appeal be made to the Visitor, the President of India, to look into the matter in the right perspective and not allow the vested interests to hold the Glorious Institution to ransom . It was also resolved that invoking Section 13 of AMU Act is unprecedented and is totally unwarranted and undesirable in the absence of any alarming situation and the enquiry may therefore be closed forthwith to avoid irreparable damage to the AMU. There are other means available under the provisions of AMU Act for setting the things right if there are any irregularities as alleged.
A separate resolution appealed to the persons behind this act, not to bring disrepute to the University which has a special importance for the minorities of this country and instead to carry out positive and constructive work for the university.
The symposium was presided over by Mr. Kamal Faruqui, Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, and attended by eminent people from all walks of life. Mr. Mohd. Adeeb MP, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi MP, renowned educationist and philosothropist Mr. P.A. Inamdar, Prof. M. Shabbir and Dr. Shakil Samdani from Faculty of Law AMU, Mr. Khwaja M. Shahid, former president AMU Old Boys Association Delhi, Mr. Khan Mohd. Asif, member EC, AMU, Mr. J.H. Jafri president of SAMLA and Mr. Nasir Aziz Finance Secretary of SAMLA expressed their views on the subject.
Later, in a letter addressed to the President of India and Visitor AMU on June 1, the Secretary General of SAMLA said, “Recent developments at Aligarh Muslim University regarding setting up of an enquiry has stirred hornet’s nest amongst the minority community and a palpable feeling of consternation can be gauged easily. South Asian Minorities Lawyers Association (SAMLA) felt the need to know the feelings of people from different walks of life. In order to Achieve this, SAMLA organised a symposium on the issue and found through the deliberations that participants were overwhelmingly felt that the recent developments occurred at the behest and instance of certain vested interest who could not see their interests being washed away in the wake of stern administrative measures taken by the present VC who brought in greater transparency in the affairs of the AMU….
“Please note that the sentiments expressed in the symposium were the sentiments of the majority of the Muslim community. What is to be noted is the fact that none from the group instrumental in the tirade against the VC represented at the symposium implying that they had no defence and nothing substantial to say.”
Secretary General of SAMLA urged the President to look into the matter taking into consideration these sentiments and take remedial action by closing the unprecedented step of setting up of enquiry in order to save the glorious institution from getting into disrepute and disarray.