The important revelations made by Human Chain – a Delhi based Non-Government Society through Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding delay in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Kishanganj Centre a month back has shown it affect. Finally, Salman Khurshid, the minister of Law & Justice has given green signal for establishment of the centre at Kishanganj in Bihar. In a letter dated September 26, 2012 addressed to minister for Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal, Khurshid has urged to go ahead with the further proceedings so that the AMU in Kishanganj gets a shape. Rectifying its earlier opinion given on June 29, 2012 that it might not be advisable to proceed in light of the matter being before the Supreme Court, says, “in case of Kishanganj the delay was primarily caused by suitable land not being offered. Now that the land issue is resolved and the local people are anxious that their aspiration for good education be addressed it is fair and correct to proceed with the Campus. Besides the wholesome impact it will also prevent unnecessary political bickering at our cost.”
The opinion of Salman Khurshid is welcomed by Human Chain as the society is keenly following the developments of AMU Kishanganj for past three years and witnessed many ups and downs. Mohd Aslam, President Human Chain said, “this is a landmark decision and we are highly thankful for Mr. Salman Khurshid for fulfilling his promise to resolve the legal aspect as soon as possible. The opinion of Law Minister would provide fresh hope to highly anxious people of Seemanchal and education lovers of Bihar as all eyes were fixed on the centre government.” Earlier in the month of August the Human Chain representatives met the Congress Member of Parliament (MP) at his residence in Delhi after coming across the fact through RTI that the approval of President, who is also the Visitor of AMU is delayed due to opinion of Law Ministry. However, during the meeting with the delegation of Human Chain the Law Minister said that his ministry replied to HRD Ministry without informing him or taking his consent. Being well aware about the legal issues related with AMU Kishanganj Aslam had sighted the examples of already functioning centres of AMU at Mallapuram in Kerala and Murshidabad in West Bengal. During the meeting with Human Chain Mr. Khurshid had promised that he will again review the legal aspects so that a final opinion can be given by his ministry to MHRD.
As soon the law minister replied to MHRD the information was shared with Human Chain. The letter of Khurshid says that “I had asked for the judgments of Kerala High Court and Allahabad High Court as well as the Supreme Court proceedings along with the HRD file. On reflection I believe it is not appropriate to overlook the fact that two Centres have already been established at Mallapuram and Murshidabad”.
Referring to the section opposing the establishment of AMU at Kishanganj the law minister in his letter says “I do understand that there is a part of the AMU community opposed to the establishment of these Centres because it is unclear to them how the de-facto minority character will be preserved even while the de-jure status remains to be decided by the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court. Sometimes this aspect is linked with the concern about dilution of residential character of AMU. All these matters will have to be sorted out separately and need not to cause us to make a departure from the position we have taken regarding the earlier two Centres.”
The decision of Law Minister has broken the jinx and pushed the establishment work of AMU Kishanganj centre ahead. The core team of Human Chain comprises of Tauquir Alam (JNU), Mujahid Akhtar, Salam Anwar, Tauqueer Alam (MSW), Nasim Haider, Khalid Mubashshir, Minnat Rahmani, Ghaznafar Elahi, Sarwar Alam, Nadeem Akhtar, Wasim Akhtar, Jahangir Alam, Nawed Shamsi, Najeeb Sagar among many others have thanked Salman Khurshid for his generous act.
Still the matter needs a review of MHRD and the recommendation would be sent to President’s Secretariat for approval of AMU’s Visitor. Once the President’s approval comes the AMU Kishanganj Centre would be granted token amount of Rs. 25 crore to 50 crore for construction work. Hence, this is not the end for AMU Kishanganj impasse till it gets a physical shape it would be too early to rejoice.
