New Delhi:
Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal’s inquiry order against Aligarh
Muslim University (AMU) Vice Chancellor is receiving flak from the
top Indian Muslim community leaders and heads of leading
socio-religious organizations. Terming the move as uncalled for in a
statement released yesterday the leaders demanded its immediate
revocation.
“The allegations made against the VC
are from some vested interest groups who feel their interests were
not safe under his leadership”, said the Muslim leaders putting
their weight behind Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) VC Prof P. K.
Abdul Aziz.
“It is shocking that the HRD Minister
has seen it fit to order an inquiry against Prof. P.K. Abdul Aziz,
the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University in respect of
certain allegations leveled by some vested interest groups who have
their self interest and self aggrandisement agenda. They have been
using the University as their private fiefdom deriving great
financial benefit from the building construction and uniform
contracts etc. If any VC comes in their way, they oppose him as they
earlier opposed the former VC M. N. Farooqui and forced Nasim Ahmad,
the then VC, to flee from the University”, the community leaders
noted in a joint statement.
The statement signed by All India
Milli Council Secretary General Dr M Manzoor Alam, Delhi State
Minorities Commission Chairman Kamal Farooqi, All India Muslim
Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMM) President Dr Zafarul Islam Khan and
others further said, “Nobody interested in the affairs and the
welfare of the AMU, including the Vice Chancellor, should be scared
of an inquiry as nothing cognizable is to be found against the Vice
Chancellor, but an inquiry at this crucial juncture at the behest of
some vested interests who are out to pressurize and blackmail the
Vice Chancellor for their ulterior motives, will prove detrimental
to the AMU which has been put on the right track and a very
congenial academic atmosphere is prevailing on the campus. The
examinations are being conducted on time, sessions are going on as
per schedule, for the first time in the history of the university,
75 per cent attendance of the students has been ensured and the
students are busy in their studies with a complete sense of security
etc. Such an inquiry, if carried forward, may embolden this vested
interest group and demoralise this and future VCs, apart from
disturbing the peaceful atmosphere at the campus.”
They said the inquiry into the
allegations of financial irregularities against the VC is uncalled
for as the Uttar Pradesh (UP) audit body has cleared him of any such
charges.
“The allegations of financial
irregularities against the VC lose their significance altogether in
view of the report of the Principal Accountant General (Civil Audit,
UP) on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India which
had categorically reported that there were no financial
irregularities committed by the AMU,” they said.
The leaders have demanded the ministry
to revoke the inquiry order as it will hamper the university’s
expansion plan. If not revoked, they have decided to meet PM and UPA
Chairperson.
“If the present unproductive and
uncalled for inquiry, which will do a great harm to the AMU
particularly at a time when its branch is being opened in
Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Malappuram (Kerala) is not stopped,
the community leaders have decided to meet the Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh and the UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi to apprise
them of their reservation against the move. |