Joining the struggle for the restoration of the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday asked the Congress-led UPA Government to immediately take corrective measures in this direction.
Addressing a convention organised by the All India Pasdarane AMU, AIMPLB chairman Maulana Syed Mohd Rabe Hasni Nadvi said that the Central Government should bring appropriate legislation to resolve the issue. Nadvi said, “We could raise objection to the decision of the judiciary but it had given its verdict on the basis of the law”. He said the Parliament should redefine the contentious issues, which had led to quashing of AMU Amendment Act 1981. He said being the largest minority in the country, Muslims had their own characteristics and the community had the right to protect them. He said the Government should play a constructive role in this matter.
Nadvi said the university had always been a Muslim institution but in view of the lacunae in the Act, its minority character could not be properly defined.
Chancellor AMU, Justice AM Ahmadi, however, laid stress on referring the issue to the Supreme Court. Justice Ahmadi’s address, read in absentia, said a special leave petition (SLP) was being drafted which would be moved in the apex court soon.
He said the apex court’s decision in Aziz Basha case on the AMU was “a thorn in the flesh and unless it is removed, it is likely to haunt the university time and again”. Laying stress on constitutional amendment, Justice Ahmadi said the recent High court decision had given an opportunity to question the correctness of the decision in Basha case. Justice Ahmadi said there were flaws in judgments of single as well as Division Bench of the High Court. However, he hoped that the apex court would correct them.
{{/usCountry}}He said the apex court’s decision in Aziz Basha case on the AMU was “a thorn in the flesh and unless it is removed, it is likely to haunt the university time and again”. Laying stress on constitutional amendment, Justice Ahmadi said the recent High court decision had given an opportunity to question the correctness of the decision in Basha case. Justice Ahmadi said there were flaws in judgments of single as well as Division Bench of the High Court. However, he hoped that the apex court would correct them.
{{/usCountry}}Justice Ikramul Bari, pointing out “infirmities” in the judgments, said suitable constitutional amendments and further changes in the AMU Act were needed to solve the problem.
Convenor of the convention Zafaryab Jilani, emphasizing unity in the community on the issue, said that suggestions would be made to the Centre for foolproof legislation. He said amendment in the Constitution was required to protect AMU’s minority character.