Aligarh University divided over HRD panel probe

The decision of HRD ministry to constitute a fact finding committee on Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has created a stir in the university campus with teacher’s association seeking free and fair inquiry against the Vice-Chancellor P.K. Abdul Aziz while the authorities insisted that there is nothing to inquire against him.

The decision of HRD ministry to constitute a fact finding committee on Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has created a stir in the university campus with teacher’s association seeking free and fair inquiry against the Vice-Chancellor P.K. Abdul Aziz while the authorities insisted that there is nothing to inquire against him.

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Vice-Chancellor Aziz could not be contacted. His media advisor N A K Durrani said the teacher’s action was manipulated.

The teacher’s association on Monday had passed a resolution stating that the Vice-Chancellor should resign, while welcoming the decision of HRD ministry to constitute a fact finding committee.

However, ministry officials clarified that the fact-finding committee will inquire into functioning of AMU, including the allegations against Aziz.

The fact-finding committee was constituted after eight members of the Executive Council, including Congress leader Wasim Ahmed submitted a 450-page memorandum alleging that the Vice-Chancellor has committed financial irregularities. Aziz had denied the charge.

The teacher’s resolution stated that the above inquiry had become necessary to “preserve and protect” the university and its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning in the country. AMU Teacher’s Association secretary Jamshed Siddiqui said the VC's group was indulging in “intimidatory tactics” for pressurising teachers to support his demand for not holding the inquiry.

The university authorities had termed the situation in AMU as volatile because of politics over the fact-finding committee. Aligarh police has deployed security in the campus to prevent any untoward incident.