A visit to AMU off-campus study centre site in Kishanganj

By Md Mudassir Alam, for TwoCirles.net

Kishanganj: The proposed Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) off-campus study centre in Bihar’s Muslim-dominated Kishanganj district has become a much-talked about topic nowadays due to wrong reasons. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its student wing ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad) has led a state-wide campaign against Nitish Kumar led NDA government of Bihar for allowing in the campus. At the same time, many political parties also gave mixed responses over the proposed AMU campus in Kishanganj and state-wide agitation of ABVP. In reaction to ABVP’s criticism of Bihar government decision, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself admitted that the move was ‘a conscious decision’ taken in consultation with BJP.

                   The road leading to the proposed AMU campus in Kishanganj

ABVP propaganda

Although the protest of ABVP – BJP got wide coverage in national media, all failed to clarify the actual cause of the agitation. Even the leaders of BJP and ABVP are not clear about the benefit or loss of setting AMU off-campus centre in Kishanganj. The representatives of the party gave false statements that the university would benefit Muslims only, and that the proposed land houses the tribal village. Surprisingly, political leaders from other parties (who are in favour of AMU off-campus centre) are also not aware about the exact plan of the university and ground realities of the proposed land. On the ground level, the matter of AMU off-campus centre has nothing to do with agendas of political parties. They are only trying to take political benefit by playing blame game, and the statements are contradictory and far from reality.

                               A far view of the prosed site in Kishangnaj
A visit to the site

On April 1, 2010 despite the ABVP’s Bihar bandh I found most of the shops open in Kishangnaj. Keeping aside the rumours and illogical statements, I tried to find out the real truth behind the agitation of ABVP against AMU off-campus centre. The idea of getting a hair-cut at a barber’s shop clicked to my mind. As expected, AMU off-campus centre was the debated topic at the barber’s shop. Some were arguing over the name Muslim in Aligarh Muslim University and others clarifying at their own level that the name has nothing to do with actual cause of the off-campus centre. For example, there is a Degree College called Marwari College, but it is offering education to students from all religious faiths. One important thing the barbers at the shop said that for us earning daily wage is more important instead of protesting against AMU off-campus centre. And at the same time the locals understand the positive aspects of the study centre in Kishanganj.

                                                    Tribal people moving on the propsed site
Further, with a suspicious streak on news reports and statements made by political outfits, I decided to visit the proposed site of AMU off-campus centre. A couple of days back in the morning I reached Chakla village situated close to the proposed site. Villagers were busy in their daily work but when I enquired about the off-campus location they gave proper attention with high hope in their eyes. A few villagers accompanied me and took me to the proposed site located at the outskirts of the village. Within 10 minutes I was on the AMU off-campus centre site and the surrounding environs thrilled me a lot. Oh my God, what a picturesque location I exclaimed with joy! The 250 acres of land was before me and it was not possible to see all the corners from one spot.

Villagers speak

The land for the proposed site begins just after the village and ends along the bank of gently flowing Mahanada River. In fact, BJP and ABVP are repeatedly claiming that the tribes are residing on the proposed site for past many years. I noticed 30 to 40 newly constructed huts at the proposed site and enquired about the same from villagers. To my utter surprise, the villagers informed me that no tribal village existed at the proposed site a couple of months back. Only after the approval of AMU off-campus centre land from Bihar Cabinet the tribes constructed the temporary huts. According to villagers the tribes are settled on the proposed site under the guidance of a local political leader from Bharatiya Janata Party. Further the villagers said that the tribes leave the huts after the sunset and come back every day in the morning. One of the villagers said that the tribes are just trying to take monetary benefit on this issue under the influence of political leaders from BJP. The tribes have been managed from various areas of Kishanganj like Sontha, Thakurganj and Bahadurganj, and they have been financially supported to make their colony. Between the talks I came to know that the tribes want some money or land, and they don’t have any interest in opposing the construction of AMU off-campus centre.

New huts constructed on the proposed site

I spent around 2 hours at the proposed site and also interviewed some villagers. Even I asked them about the history of the land owned by Bihar Government. As per the villagers the proposed site once used to be the course of Mahananda River. With the time the river changed its course and the infertile land became the property of Bihar Government. The villagers themselves admitted that the land is infertile and not suitable for cultivation. Only during summers they grow seasonal fruits and vegetables at small level. Despite being less educated and illiterate the villagers of Chakla were looking highly optimistic about the opening of AMU off-campus centre close to their village. Even they understand the all-round benefit of AMU off-campus centre from education to commercial benefit. I was pleased with statements of villagers as they said, “Hamara hi bachcha padhega is university me, humlogon ki hi dukan hogi yahan aur humlogon ko bhi university khulne se kaam (rozgar) milega” (Our children will study in the university, we will run shop here and we will get employment because of this university).

At the same time they are anxious as well and asked me when the work will start on the proposed site. I explained them that the official formalities will take some time and AMU team will visit the site as well. They assured to play the role of a good host to people coming to the village especially officials of AMU. Most importantly, I suggested them not to come under the false rumour spread by political leaders or anti-social elements. I dreamed about a temple of learning (education) and tahzeeb (manners) at Kishanganj as well like Aligarh and returned back after passing a good time on the proposed site.

After visiting the actual site of AMU off-campus centre, I felt how the facts are moulded by the insensible and careless political leaders of the area and the country as whole. And BJP, the second biggest national party of India and its student outfit are making illogical hue and cry against the genuine cause. AMU off-campus centre is a ray of hope for economically and educationally deprived district of Kishanganj. Then why the party is trying to get the mileage by quoting wrong facts about the proposed land. In fact, their irresponsible act is badly disturbing the normal life in Kishanganj. Majority of the population including Hindus and other sects of Kishangnaj don’t have any objection over the opening of AMU off-campus centre.

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Aligarh is renowned worldwide as the temple of taalim (learning) and tahzeeb (manners). Since its establishment AMU has produced thousands of successful doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, scholars, leaders, etc. If AMU study campus in Kishangnaj district of Bihar becomes a reality, it will certainly change the fortune of the state and country as well. As a couplet from Majaz Lakhnawi’s AMU Tarana (anthem) says “Jo abr yahan se uthega, wo saare jahan par barsega”, on the same lines I wish the students from AMU study campus in Kishanganj would serve the world in their respective fields with their excellence.

At last, I would request the political parties of our country not to malign a noble cause by political colour. At least political outfits should respect our democracy, sentiments of people, development of the country, and shouldn’t play the religious or regional cards only for political mileage. If the political parties are really concerned about the country and its people, there are many grieving issues that need attention. Leave the AMU off-campus centre issue as it is and make the way easier for starting the work on the proposed as earlier as possible. The generation to come would always thank their elders for establishment of world class institute at India’s most economically and educationally deprived area.

(Md Mudassir Alam is a Delhi based freelance journalist)

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