Day after Supreme Court judgment, Yogi opens AMU file in election rally

Sun Nov 10 06:32:57 UTC 2024: ## UP CM Attacks AMU for Lack of Reservation, Calls for Unity in Election Rally

**Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh (November 10, 2024):** Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticized Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for not providing reservation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes (SC/ST/OBC) despite receiving public funds. Addressing an election rally in Khair, Mr. Adityanath questioned the university’s decision to reserve 50% of seats for Muslims while denying reservation to other communities, arguing that it contradicts the Mandal Commission’s provisions.

“How can an institution funded by Indian taxpayers deny reservation to SC/ST/OBCs but seek to reserve 50% seats for Muslims?” he questioned. “When Indian money is invested in AMU, children from SC/ST/OBC communities should be given reservation in academic courses and staff selection.”

The CM’s comments come a day after the Supreme Court ruled that a central university can be considered a minority institution. Mr. Adityanath also accused the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party of playing “vote bank politics” and promoting division in society.

He further highlighted the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly’s resolution on Article 370, claiming it was an attempt to “divide and conquer” by the Congress party. He also linked his campaign slogan “batenge to katenge” (we will speak up and fight back) to the ongoing disputes over Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi, urging unity against divisive forces.

Responding to the CM’s accusations, Samajwadi Party’s Khair bypoll in-charge Abdul Hafiz Gandhi advised Mr. Adityanath to familiarize himself with the Supreme Court judgment on minority status, which upholds the rights of religious and cultural minorities as per Article 30(1)(2) of the Constitution.

The Khair constituency, reserved for SC candidates, will go to polls on November 20. The seat became vacant after the BJP’s sitting MLA won the Hathras Lok Sabha seat. The BJP is attempting to woo Jat voters, with Mr. Adityanath reminding them of Haryana’s recent vote for a BJP-led double-engine government.