Will the AMU Centre in Kishanganj become a reality? This question raises in the minds of lakhs of people residing in Seemanchal region of Bihar time and again.
Now it seems, the issue of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Centre in Kishanganj, Bihar is once again pushed in backdoor. In fact, after the retirement of Prof P K Abdul Azis in January 2012, hardly any update has come from the university administration. In order to solve the unanswered questions of people of Seemanchal region, a delegation of Human Chain (a registered society from the Govt of Delhi) which came into existence this past month after working as a non-registered group for AMU Kishanganj for more than three years met the Vice Chancellor of AMU Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah in New Delhi on Thursday (July 5, 2012) evening at India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) in New Delhi.
Led by Mohammad Aslam, President of Human Chain the delegation submitted a memorandum to Lt Gen Shah to give his attention towards the establishment of AMU Centre in Kishanganj. The delegation included members namely, Khalid Mubashshir (Poet and Scholar), Mohammad Mudassir Alam (Journalist), Minnat Rahmani (Minority Wing Spokesperson Bihar Congress), Tauquir Alam (Student Leader JNU), Dr. Mujahid Akhtar and Dilshad Ghani.
The memorandum says:
To,
Lt. Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah,
Honourable Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
Respected Sir,
Human Chain Society congratulates you as the Vice Chancellor of AMU, Aligarh. We expect a very bright future for the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University in your tenure. Sir, Human Chain is a registered Society belonging to the people of Seemanchal region of Bihar. Hope you know this is one of the most educationally and economically backward regions of the country. The society is formed by the old boys of AMU, Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, Jamia Hamdard, DU and many other universities of the country. Our members include self-employed people and professionals working in many government and corporate offices in New Delhi and other cities in Indian and abroad.
Sir, you are aware of the fact that there is no any progress in the infrastructure related work of AMU Centre in Kishanganj, Bihar after the 224.02 acres land agreement was signed by the Govt of Bihar and AMU administration on December 30, 2011. As per our knowledge the Budget (fund) for AMU Centre Kishanganj is yet to be allocated from Ministry of Finance. We the members of Human Chain on behalf of people of Bihar and neighbouring states of north-east requesting you to give proper attention on the issue of AMU Centre Kishanganj, Bihar and get the session started as soon as possible.
Yours Sincerely,
Mohammad Aslam (President Human Chain)
It should be noted that the work of proposed AMU Centres outside Aligarh was going on proper way during the tenure of Prof P K Abdul Azis. Two centres of AMU were established at Mallapuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal) and the session was started from the year 2011. However, the other three proposed centres at Kishanganj in Bihar, Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh is witnessing ups and downs. Especially the AMU Centre in Kishanganj district of Bihar is facing lots of hurdles from its stakeholders and anti-centre sections. Fact is that, without the initiatives and interest of AMU Vice Chancellor it is almost impossible to see the special centres outside Aligarh in physical shape.
Since the new Vice Chancellor has assumed all eyes from Seemanchal region of Bihar are fixed towards the updates about Kishanganj Centre. The Human Chain society is well aware of the fact hence met the Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Shah for his favour and pushing ahead the work of proposed AMU Centre in Kishanganj.
