AMU VC threatens to resign if university’s autonomy was damaged

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By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 14 Nov 2014: Amidst the controversy over his statement regarding entry of undergraduate girl students to the central library inviting show-cause notice from the BJP-led Central government, Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah has threatened to resign if attempts were made to damage the autonomy of the university by imposing some new central rules.

“I will prefer to resign if such an attempt is made to damage the University’s autonomy by imposing any such Common Act and Common Entrance Test,” said the VC while addressing the gathering at the installation of new leadership of Students Union.

Addressing the students, Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah said that a new government was in place and the university would have to initiate a dialogue with the new dispensation so that its genuine interests are preserved and protected. He said that having a good relationship with the new government to create a positive atmosphere was necessary.

The VC, however, made it clear that in recent meetings with HRD officials, he had strongly conveyed the feelings of the University regarding imposition of the proposed Common University Bill and Common Entrance Test as it would erode the basic structure of the University’s existing ethos.

Meanwhile, the newly elected president of Aligarh Muslim University students union has also vowed “to preserve and protect the unique character of the University”.

Addressing the students at the installation ceremony, AMUSU president Abdullah Azzam resolved that the Common University Act and Common Entrance Test proposed by the central government shall not be allowed in AMU. He said that it was “one of the prime duties of the Students’ Union to preserve and protect the unique character of the University and he will do everything to attain this goal.”

Reacting over the central government’s reported move, Abdullah, in his speech at the installation ceremony of newly elected AMU Students’ Union, stated that a working group will be constituted by the AMUSU including faculty members to study the proposed Common University Act and its implications for the AMU.

Cabinet Members of AMU Students Union

Without referring to the Maulana Azad Library controversy and negative media coverage thereon, he lamented that an effort was on to tarnish the image of the University by a section of media. He said that vested interests are engaged in threatening the special character of the University.

Taking note of the media reports about VC’s alleged sexist statement that if girls were allowed in the central library of the university more boys will follow them in, HRD Minister Smriti Irani has sent a notice to the AMU VC.

Abdullah urged the University to initiate bus services for girls to commute within the University campus. He demanded that a fool-proof system be evolved to enable girls of Women’s College to visit the Maulana Azad Library. He urged the Vice Chancellor to take concrete steps for the development of the University and stick to his decisions that are well meant. He assured full cooperation by AMUSU.

Responding to the students union leader’s demands, Vice Chancellor, Zameer Uddin Shah reiterated that he, as a guardian of the University students, was very much concerned with their problems and issues. He said that a number of development initiatives have been taken to improve the residential conditions in all residential Halls and special focus is laid on providing better residential, academic and sports facilities to the girl students of the University. He said that recently two new buses have been given to Women’s College and construction of a separate Sports Complex for girls is on anvil. A new residential Hall for women is under construction and Women’s College library is being upgraded to make it self-sufficient.

The Vice Chancellor affirmed that boys and girls of the University were like his children and neither he nor the students needed to be afraid of each other. He said that girl students are pride of this university. He warned the students of diabolic designs and vested interests out to create misunderstanding between them and the University administration and disturb the peaceful academic atmosphere in the University campus.

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