Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Kishanganj centre missed its name in union budget this time as well. Before proceeding ahead let me clarify that the Union Minister of Finance P Chidamabaram had mentioned about Rs. 100 crore for Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Campus, which is misunderstood as token grant for AMU centres namely Kishanganj, Mallapuram and Murshidabad. The screenshot of the specific point mentioned by Finance Minister is attached below.
As soon P Chidambaram finished his budget speech the thousands of AMU Kishanganj lovers across the country felt themselves deceived. The people from Seemanchal region of Bihar, which comprises of eight districts were eagerly waiting for the union budget and announcement of token grant of Rs. 25 to 50 crore for AMU Kishanganj centre. However, the entire region is in extreme shock due to ignorance of the Central government, which totally ignored the much-needed campus in north-eastern district of Bihar.
People from various sects started complaining about the local Congress MP Maulana Asrarul Haque Qami and his party for making false promises during his recent public addresses in the area. In past a couple of months, the Kishanganj MP while addressing the gathering at various places clearly mentioned that the AMU Kishanganj would get token grant in Union Budget 2013-14 as demanded by the university. With the announcement of union budget the truth about AMU Kishanganj token grant has come before all and it has put question mark over the credibility in statements of Maulana Qasmi. It has been proved that the statements were totally misleading and just for avoiding the people’s queries and expectations with the MP.
In fact, the budget has brought forth the real face of Congress led government and its concern for deprived area of Kishanganj and Seemanchal. Since the announcement of proposal by AMU administration, the Congress MP from Kishanganj and his party had made it an issue for political benefit. Congress President Sonia Gandhi herself had slammed Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his party for not allocating the required land during her Assembly election campaign in 2010 at Kishanganj. Ms. Gandhi had clearly mentioned in her speech that the Centre already has fund for AMU Kishanganj and the same would be released once the Bihar govt provides the land free of cost to AMU.
Proving all the allegations of Ms. Gandhi and UPA govt at the Centre, the govt of Bihar transferred 224.02 acres land to AMU on December 30, 2011. Since then only the series of misguiding statements have been made by the Member of Parliament from Kishanganj. Without taking any care about the important points and technical difficulties in consideration about the centre, the Kishanganj MP has given misleading statements. Last April, Maulana Qasmi told media that the then MHRD Kapil Sibal will visit Kishanganj to inaugurate the campus, which proved as wrong later on. Similarly, in July he said that former President of India Pratibha Patil had given approval to AMU Kishanganj centre that too proved false as the matter was pending with Hon’ble Supreme Court.
If we take examples of AMU Murshidabad and AMU Mallapuram centres, that these centres are smoothly functioning and got budget on time due to connections with Pranab Mukherjee and E Ahmad respectively. Kishanganj MP Maulana Asrarul failed to do lobbying and only played with emotions and sentiments of local people. Now the budget 2013-14 is over, hence once again the hopes are shattered and Kishanganj MP is answerable for this negligence and false statements.
Unlike others, Human Chain (Regd.), a non-government society working as a pressure and coordination group for the cause of AMU Kishanganj is highly upset with the absence of Centre’s name in budget. Mohammad Aslam, president Human Chain went heavily against the double-standards of UPA government. He said that they will talk with HRD and Finance ministers and concerned stake-holders in government for allocation of token grant on immediate basis although this is not mentioned in budget. If needed the society may go for democratic protest against the government, said the core team members of the society.
