Fri Nov 08 18:33:33 UTC 2024: ## AMU’s Minority Status: A History of Political Battles and Ideological Tensions
**New Delhi:** The recent Supreme Court ruling upholding Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) as a minority institution has brought to light a long-standing debate on its character and the political machinations behind its minority status.
In 1967, the Supreme Court declared AMU a non-minority institution, a decision overturned in 1981 by an Act passed by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government. This Act stated that AMU was established by Indian Muslims to promote their educational and cultural advancement.
The Bill was met with opposition from the CPI(M) led by Somnath Chatterjee, who argued it would dilute the university’s secular character. He feared the amendment would lead to the university being controlled by “theologians, zamindars, communalists and vested interests”, ultimately undermining its secular and democratic principles.
However, prominent figures like Ram Jethmalani (then Janata Party) and Subramanian Swamy (then Janata Party) supported the Bill, arguing that AMU’s minority status was a crucial recognition of its history and purpose. Jethmalani even called for the university to explicitly state its commitment to Islamic teachings and exclude teachings inconsistent with Islam, including Communism.
The debate highlighted the complex interplay of religious, political, and ideological tensions surrounding AMU’s identity. The Congress government, aiming to win back Muslim support, saw the amendment as a way to fulfill a promise made in its 1980 election manifesto.
Despite the contentious debate, the AMU (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling affirms the 1981 Act, officially establishing AMU as a minority institution and acknowledging its historical context and its role in promoting Muslim education and culture.
First Piper 