By TwoCircles.net news desk,
New Delhi: In a befitting reply to BJP which cried at Jamia Millia Islamia’s decision to provide legal aid to its students detained in connection with terrorist activities, the Academic Council of the university has decided to support the students on its own without drawing on Jamia’s resources.
An emergent meeting of the Academic Council was held on September 25.
The 125-member Academic Council (AC) wrested the initiative from the university administration by deciding to form its own committee to raise funds for the detained students and provide relief to them in accordance with the laws of the land. The AC endorsed the stand taken by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mushirul Hasan for providing legal assistance to the Jamia students detained by the police. Further, it deliberated at length upon the recent crisis in the locality and its repercussions on the campus.
In a remarkable show of strength, unity and solidarity, the Executive Council and the Academic Council of Jamia Millia Islamia expressed its support to the Vice Chancellor for the handling of the recent crisis in the locality of the University.
The AC unanimously expressed deep concern over the continuing detention of Jamia students in police custody in connection with their alleged involvement in terrorist activities. The house unanimously agreed to the following points:
1. That the incidents of alleged terrorism are in no way connected to the University;
2. That it is outrageous to castigate an 80-year old University on the basis of unproved charges against a couple of students. Under these circumstances, the Jamia should defend its constitutional, legal and moral rights while preserving its liberal secular character;
3. That the University must liaise with police and students in order to restore confidence;
4. That the University must form two Committees to provide relief to the Jamia students;
5. That the University must request the Government to set up a judicial inquiry into the incidents in the locality adjacent to the University.
The AC unanimously and unequivocally condemned terror, terrorism, terrorist and communal violence. It formed a Legal Aid Committee consisting of Prof. Radha Kumar (Convener), Prof. Azra Razzack (Member) and Prof. Biswajit Das (Member).
The said Committee will function independently of the University administration. It will perform its duties without drawing on the university’s resources.
The AC also resolved to form a Students’ Relief Committee to raise funds from staff and students for providing legal aid, as and when necessary, to the Jamia students. The Committee would consist of Prof. Shakti Kak (Convener), Prof. Mohd. Miyan (Member), Prof. Ravindaran Gopinath (Member) and Dr. Eijaz Hussain (Member).
The above decisions, taken by the AC, were resolved by the Executive Council which met later the same day at Jamia.