Sun Nov 10 09:44:34 UTC 2024: ## Yogi Adityanath Attacks AMU Over Reservation, Calls for Unity in Khair Bypoll Rally
**Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh:** In a fiery election rally on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for not providing reservation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes despite its minority status. He questioned the university’s right to claim 50% reservation for Muslims while benefiting from Indian taxpayer funds.
“How is it possible that an institution uses resources and taxes of Indian citizens, doesn’t provide reservation to SCs, STs, and OBCs but seeks to ensure 50% reservation for Muslims in academic courses?” Adityanath questioned. He insisted that AMU should follow the provisions of the Mandal Commission and allocate reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs in both academic courses and staff selection.
The Chief Minister, campaigning for the BJP candidate in the Khair by-election, blamed the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party for fostering division and promoting vote bank politics. He linked the current situation to the recent Supreme Court judgment upholding the minority status of a central university, suggesting that this ruling is a threat to the nation’s unity and integrity.
Adityanath also criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s resolution on Article 370, calling for a dialogue with the central government. He accused the Congress of using divisive politics to gain power, saying, “Congress can come to power only through divisive politics.”
He further emphasized the importance of unity, drawing a link between the division within the country and the ongoing disputes over Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi. He warned that further division could lead to tragic consequences.
In his address, Adityanath also appealed to Jat voters by highlighting Haryana’s recent vote for a BJP-led double-engine government.
In response to Adityanath’s statements, Abdul Hafiz Gandhi, Samajwadi Party’s in charge of the Khair bypoll, advised the Chief Minister to read the Supreme Court judgment on the minority status, which upholds the rights of religious and cultural minorities as protected by Article 30 (1) (2) of the Indian Constitution.
The Khair by-election is scheduled for November 20.
First Piper 