The proposed AMU Special Centre in Kishanganj, Bihar is hitting the headlines due to all wrongs reasons such as the baseless allegations of Bihar Government, attack of the opposition parties on the government, and statement of Bihar Government’s main ally BJP’s students wing ABVP that it will not allow a Centre of AMU in Bihar. However, far from this hue and cry the western Indian state of Maharashtra has shown it interest in establishing a Special Centre of AMU in the state. In Maharashtra too the AMU team had to face the opposition from saffron brigade and farmers.
AMU VC greeted by flowers in Maharashtra
After the active involvement of common people, activists and political leaders for past 5 to 6 months, on October 26, 2011 a high level AMU led by the Vice Chancellor P K Abdul Azis which inspected the lands in Aurangabad and Malegaon districts of Maharashtra. Flowers and protests both greeted the team comprised of Prof. Anwar Jahan Zuberi, Prof. Jawaid Akhtar, Prof. Ekram Husain, Prof. N. A. K. Durrani and Prof. M. Saud Alam Qasmi. According to Mrs Fauzia Khan, Minister of State for Primary Education and Awkaf, the AMU team visited two locations - one around 10 kms to Aurangabad and the other at Khuldabad around 30 kms away. Principal Secretary of Minority Development Department Mrs Thekkekara and Secretary of Minority Commission, Govt. of Maharashtra Syed Hashmi were also present in Aurangabad for the land inspection.
Later, after visiting Tomb of Great Mughul Emperor Aurangazeb the team left for Malegaon. A huge crowd which comprised of heads of local educational institutions, teachers, social activists and leaders from all political parties including Nasik MP Sameer Bhujbal, local MLAs Mufti Mohd Ismael and Dada Bhuse greeted the team when it entered Malegaon at around 01:15 PM. In Malegaon, the AMU team visited two spots that were identified for the proposed AMU Special centre. The Nasik District Magistrate P Velrasu said that the two spots in Malegaon AMU team visited are - one at Rampura some 30 kms from Malegaon and the other 22 kms to Malegaon at Jalgaon-Chondi near Manmad - the major railway junction which connects North and South India.
Meanwhile, in an unpleasant incident during AMU team's visit to Maharashtra, the team also had to face besides flowers protests both in Aurangabad and Malegaon. While Shiv Sena-BJP activists camped near the Khuldabad location carrying saffron and black flags, at Rampura site of Malegaon, the team was stopped just near the proposed land. Local MP Sameer Bhujbal and DM P Velarsu talked to the protesting crowd of around 500 villagers, but they were not ready to allow the AMU team to visit the proposed site.
The AMU team however peacefully inspected the other site located 14 to Manmnad Railway junction. Later while addressing the press conference with District Magistrate P Velrasu, AMU VC said, "Some forces are opposing tooth and nail the establishment of the AMU centres. First they opposed when we visited other states and now they are doing the same in Maharashtra." "However", he added, "The project has the backing of the majority of the people in the country including Hindus, Muslims and people from other religions and classes and we are trying our best to make these centres a success."
In reply to a question, the Vice Chancellor said that the AMU team few days after reaching Aligarh will hold a meeting and decide on the final locations. I can assure you that an AMU centre will be established in Maharashtra very soon and we are all set to start the academic activities from the next academic year".
दील के अरमा आसुउ मे बह गऐ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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