Read an article today regarding AMU Kishanganj centre published (20th December 2017) in Inquilab Urdu. The report is misleading and flawed.
The conclusions I can draw:
1. Probably the report was written on the behest of AMU Kishanganj director.
2. The reporter has preconceived notions regarding the KISHANGANJ AMU centre in particular and other centres in general.
3. The reporter did not read the UGC audit report.
4. Reporter failed to understand the UGC jargon and the news published in English dailies.
5. The reporter did not take notice of the number of present teachers in the centre, how many teachers left and at what circumstances.
6. The reporter failed to report why MBA classes (teaching) could not be completed? (However Reporter cited that one month of flood has affected the teachings of MBA classes. In that scenario how the teachings/classes of B.Ed completed then?
7. If flood has affected the normal teaching, extra classes could have been taken on the weekend and finish the course and hold the exams on timely basis.)
8. Reporter failed to mention the number of teachers and the student in the centre.
9. Reporter claimed that centre is the result of sacrifices of only 3 people ( All big claims and credit seeking game) however report says the other two centres at Murshidabad and Mallapuram are the result of mass movement.
10. Report says that few people or groups do not want to have AMU centre in Kishanganj. But failed to mention who are those people or groups? So it’s clear a blame game has been started.
11. Reporter failed to mention why the contractual teachers left the centre and only few guest teachers are remaining. Drawing a salary of Rs. 25000 a month probably a primary teacher get more than that. However the centre director get a huge pay whose car allowance is approx. 45000 a month (Need to verify this claim).
Now my take on the issue:
Recently UGC audit report suggested the closure of AMU Centres in #Kishanganj, Murshidabad, Mallapuram. The UGC audit report was completely flawed and their suggestion was not based on merit rather they tried to compare the Muslim population of these districts with that of Kashmir and few districts of Assam. However it is outside the purview of UGC to close or open any university or centres. The onus lies on the vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and the directors of these centres as well as students to continue. The recent elected student union of AMU can play a proactive role.
It's no hiding that these centres are facing financial crunch and also a kind of burden on AMU Aligarh. Without funding it will face eventual death. This is worrisome and most of the AMU-K activists are worried about this and they write in social media often on this context. No one ever claimed that the centres has been closed. They are worried centres may be closed if funding is so poor. Also the AMU-K director has a big role to play for the success of this centre. A competent, devoted and dedicated person is required for the success of AMU-K.
Who is responsible for this mess?
Recently I suggested:
The chief ministers of West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala should approach the HRD minister and Finance minister for separate funding of AMU centres at #Murshidabad (West Bengal), #Kishanganj (Bihar) and #Mallapuram (Kerala). They must submit a joint memorandum to the respective ministries of Central govt. and should demand separate budget allocations to these centers in the upcoming budget. They must apprise the AMU vice chancellor also. The local MLAs of Kishanganj, Murshidabad and Mallapuram can approach their state CMs and build pressure. This is the least we can expect from our elected representatives.
Last but not the least #Save_AMU_Kishanganj.
Thanks!
~Dr. Mumtaz Naiyer
