The recent appointment of Ali Farhan Gulrez, son of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) vice chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon, as an assistant professor in the university’s department of law has sparked a controversy after complaints were submitted to the President, who is the visitor to the university, alleging serious violations of guidelines governing the recruitment of a close relative of the head of the institution. Copies of the representations were sent to the Union ministry of education.
However, the AMU public relations office has denied all allegations, asserting that the appointment under the Dr BR Ambedkar Chair of the university was made strictly in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, and prescribed procedures.
In his representations, Syed Kaif Hasan, an alumnus of AMU and a lawyer, sought immediate intervention, a vigilance inquiry and the suspension of the selection process for the post.
Hasan challenged the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the recruitment process. He alleged that the process was initiated primarily to facilitate the appointment of Ali Faran Gulrez, the son of current VC Prof Naima Khatoon and former VC Prof Mohd Gulrez.
Hasan first filed a representation on June 24, 2026 followed by one on July 15.
He complained that university conducted the selection committee on June 24 and the appointment of the VC’s son was recommended. The appointment letter was issued on July 16.
{{/usCountry}}He complained that university conducted the selection committee on June 24 and the appointment of the VC’s son was recommended. The appointment letter was issued on July 16.
{{/usCountry}}Ali Farhan Gulrez was teaching at Manipal University prior to his appointment at AMU.
The appointment has also led to resentment among a section of AMU faculty members, who alleged the recruitment violates guidelines issued in 2018 by the ministry of education (then known as the ministry of human resource development) regarding recruitment involving the close relative of a VC or other head of the institution. The guidelines require that when such a relative applies, the head of institution needs to declare the relationship in advance and recuse themselves from the recruitment process.
According to the 2018 guidelines, circulated via an official letter dated February 1, 2019, even recusal will not be sufficient in such cases of relatives’ appointment. To avoid such a situation and to communicate the message that selection was transparent, in all such cases, the institute should inform the ministry well in advance, according to the guidelines. The ministry should provide two additional experts to the selection committee, the guidelines stated.
In separate representations addressed to the President of India, with copies to the ministry of education, Hasan raised serious objections regarding the VC’s son being recruited.
“I filed my representations twice before the selection process was completed to get it stopped but the AMU administration turned a deaf ear and went forward, proving the apprehensions raised by me to be correct. The university officials claimed that the norms, as laid down by the ministry of education, were not binding on them. Although the VC recused (herself) from the selection process, the provision for two external committee members by the ministry of education was not followed,” Hasan said.
“The university stated that the recruitment was governed by Ambedkar Foundation and the ministry of social justice and empowerment and thus the guidelines of 2018 were not complied with, which is incorrect as a plea,” he alleged. Efforts were made to obtain the VC’s version, but calls and a message went unanswered.
WHAT AMU SAYS
When contacted, the AMU’s public relations office said the assistant professor’s appointment under the Dr BR Ambedkar Chair at Aligarh Muslim University has been made strictly in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations and prescribed procedures.
“The post is a tenure-based position for five years or co-terminus with the Chair, whichever is earlier, and is sponsored and funded by the ministry of social justice and empowerment through the Dr Ambedkar Foundation. The Chair operates under the applicable scheme and MoU with the university and is distinct from posts created or sponsored by the ministry of education or the UGC,” said the statement by public relations office, AMU.
“The selection was conducted by the duly constituted selection committee presided over by the pro vice chancellor and comprising experts nominated by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation, as prescribed under the governing provisions. The vice chancellor had recused herself and had no role in the entire selection process,” said the statement released on Saturday.