AMU enjoys 'innate' minority character, says Khurshid

Aligarh Muslim University enjoys an "innate" minority character and it will always remain so, minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid said on Saturday.

Aligarh Muslim University enjoys an "innate" minority character and it will always remain so, minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid said on Saturday.

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Khurshid's assertion comes in the backdrop of anxieties raised in several quarters, especially among the Muslim community, over the ongoing court case pertaining to restoration of the AMU's minority status.

While Allahabad High Court had earlier scrapped its minority status and cancelled 50 per cent reservation for Muslims, the Supreme Court had restored status quo.

But the issue of reservation for Muslims at the varsity is still pending before the Apex court.

"Aligarh Muslim University enjoys an innate minority character and it can neither be given or taken away," Khurshid said at a function here.

Stating that both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi share the anxiety of the Muslims, the minister said "we will reach that stage very soon when we will see that minority character has been given to both AMU".

He also expressed similar feelings about Jamia Millia Islamia University which has sought minority status for it.

The minister also appealed to the standing legal counsel of AMU to be present for hearing in the Supreme Court in this crucial case as they failed to appear on four consecutive occasions.

AMU Teacher's Association had earlier passed a resolution for the university administration's inability to ensure the presence of its legal counsel.