By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Contrary to the reports appeared in the media saying that the decision to shut down Aligarh Muslim University was taken in a haste without taking all faculties into confidence, AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, has said that the decision was unanimous and taken in the meeting of Deans of Faculties, Principals of Colleges and Senior Faculty Members of the University. Meanwhile, agitating students have decided to make New Delhi their battleground.
“The closure of the University was very painful decision and its was unanimously decided in the meeting of Deans of Faculties, Principals of Colleges and Senior Faculty Members of the University”, said Prof. Azis, while addressing a meeting of the Chairmen of the Departments of studies yesterday.
The VC said that the decision was taken to prevent the nefarious designs of the anti-social elements and safeguard the interest of the University.
AMU VC presiding the meeting of Deans and Chairmnen
Apprising the senior faculty members of the details of the event took place after the killing of a student Professor Azis said that it is very painful. A handful of students raised some demands which are no in way related to the killing and conspiracy was hatched to destabilize the administration, he said.
According to the Vice Chancellor a group of senior teachers led by Professor M. Saleemuddin tried to persuade the students not to block the railway track. A number of anti-social elements and rusticated students joined the protest. A handful student staged a Dharna and used highly abusive language against the teachers. Professor Ziauddin Khairuwala, as a chief negotiator tried to initiate dialogue with the students but obstinate posture adopted by one student derailed the negotiation.
According to Dr Rahat Abrar, Public Relations Officer, AMU, rumors about the death of a student was spread to provoke the students while the majority of the students were busy in attending the classes. The students sitting on fast refused to take medicine and their condition deteriorated. Since, the threat of violence loops imminent, the decision of closure was taken.
The Deans and Chairmen attending the meeting
Prof. Azis pointed out, said Dr Abrar, he is yet to receive the Charter of Demands of the agitators. The unexpected closure deeply hurt the academic resurgence drive set in motion by the University. The Vice Chancellor said that opening of the University is an easy task but to preserve values and traditions is an uphill task and he asked the teachers to evolve a strategy to strengthen value system.
The faculty members of the Medical College urged the administration to get the medical faculty open as early as possible to save the academic session of the College.
Soon after the announcement of closure of the university, students started to vacate the hostels and by yesterday evening, about 80% have left the campus. Meanwhile, however, a section of students has reached New Delhi and decided to continue their protest here in the National Capital. They are demanding ouster of the VC himself.
According to media reports, they are planning to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where student leaders from several Central universities including the JNU, would take part.
The All India AMU Old Boys Association has also decided to approach Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal to seek a “high level” judicial probe into the closure of the university indefinitely.
Secretary of the old boys association and MLA Kokab Hameed has been quoted as saying that the ministry cannot shirk responsibility from this unwarranted closure of this historic centre of higher learning.