The Great Indian Political Debate - 2

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<b>V.P. Singh in favour of AMU's minority status</b>
"The fact that AMU is an aided institution does not dilute its minority character"

ALIGARH: Former Indian Prime Minister V.P. Singh said on Monday that denying minority status to Aligarh Muslim University on the ground that it is an aided institution was ``unconstitutional''. He favoured enactment of a law to accord such a status to it if the Supreme Court ruled otherwise. ``The mere fact that the AMU is an aided institution in no way dilutes its minority character. Any such conclusion will negate the spirit of Article 30 (2) which prevents States from discriminating against any institution on the basis of religion or language,'' Mr. Singh said while addressing the Sir Syed Day Commemoration celebrations in the University campus here.

"No discrimination"

The Constitution, Mr. Singh said, lays down that ``the State shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of minority, whether based on religion or language.'' Strongly advocating the need for preserving and protecting the minority character of AMU, Mr. Singh said the Supreme Court has held that in the name of providing aid, minority institutions cannot be taken over by the government''.

``Thus, the mere fact that AMU is an aided institution in no way dilutes its minority character,'' he said in the backdrop of the recent Allahabad High Court ruling revoking the institution's minority character. Hopingss that the apex court would take a ``favourable'' view in this regard, he said ``if by any chance there is a setback at that State, then the government should be prepared to make necessary amendments in the law for preserving and protecting minority institution status.''

Justifying the recent move of AMU to provide 50 per cent reservation to Muslims in post-graduate medical courses that led to fresh litigation on the count, Mr. Singh said AMU's decision to reform its admission policy was aimed at protecting minority rights in national interest. ``It was against this constitutional backdrop and the proven educational backwardness of Muslims, that the AMU decided to reform its admission policy," he said.

The former Prime Minister urged the AMU community not to be disheartened by recent developments. ``I am sure that the University will try its best to preserve its unique minority character. The entire nation is with you,'' he added. - PTI