By Mohammed Mudassir Alam,
Keeping in mind the famous proverb ‘Better late than never’, the members of Delhi based AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee met with Janata Dal (United) National President Sharad Yadav at his official residence in 7 Tughlaq Road, New Delhi on August 22, 2010.
AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee was formed a couple of months back with the motive to make the proposal of AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) study centre in Kishanganj a reality. For the noble cause of AMU study centre in Kishanganj the job holders, academicians, businessmen, self-employed as well as students studying in Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, Delhi University or other educational institutions have come together in a forum called AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee.
Since its formation the committee has held internal meetings at frequent intervals and taken all essential steps to get the permanent solution of the matter that is currently pending between the Bihar Government and AMU administration. Besides talking with AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis on regular basis, the committee is also meeting with key political leaders of Bihar as well as other parts of the country. The meeting with Sharad Yadav was an important one as he is the party’s top leader and chief mentor of Nitish Kumar led Bihar Government. In fact, the experts have the opinion that Sharad Yadav can surely find out a solution of the matter.
JD(U) president Sharad Yadav (2nd from left) and Monazir Hasan, Begusarai MP (on his left)
Around 100 members of AMU committee led by convenor Mohammad Aslam reached Sharad Yadav’s residence to discuss the hurdles before setting the AMU study centre in Kishanganj. The delegation comprised of people from Kishanganj and other parts of Bihar currently residing in New Delhi. AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee was accompanied by Janata Dal (United) leader Monazir Hussain (Member of Parliament from Begusarai, Bihar) and Irshad Ahmad (a leader of Janata Dal (United). A veteran leader, Sharad Yadav warmly welcomed the massive delegation and keenly listened to the committee’s convenor Mohammad Aslam who tried to present the summary of whole issue in 5 minutes.
Although the Janata Dal (United) President had the information about the proposed centre in Kishanganj but he had not the clear idea about the ground realities especially the land controversy. After praising Sharad Yadav as an accomplished leader, an emotional Aslam said Kishanganj is one of the most backward areas on the national map. The people of district are economically weak and face various types of problems since the independence of the country. While the country is moving ahead on the path of development, still Kishanganj is battling with the problems of illiteracy, unemployment, poor health and sanitation, and other basic amenities, told Aslam. If Kishanganj will get a study centre of AMU, there are fair chances that many of the problems would be sorted out, mentioned the AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee Convenor. On behalf of AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee Mohammad Aslam submitted a memorandum to Sharady Yadav and requested to sort out the land issue. Mohammed Aslam insisted, if Bihar government doesn’t provide the required land to AMU administration on immediate basis there is a possibility that the centre might be given to some another state.
In reply Sharad Yadav generously said that he would talk with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to provide the required land to AMU administration without any hurdle. The Member of Parliament from Madhepura admitted that it is prerequisite to provide encroachment free land to AMU administration for smooth running of the campus in Kishanganj. Sharad Yadav also told that he would discuss the matter with Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibbal to guide the AMU Vice Chancellor for setting the university in Kishanganj, Bihar.
The Janata Dal (United) leader Monazir Hussain, who is taking interest on the issue and arranged the meeting with Sharad Yadav later briefed to the members and ensured positive outcome of the meeting in a short span of time. The meeting concluded in 30 minutes, but it has raised new hope in the members of AMU Kishanganj Co-ordination Committee. Till now the Bihar Government has offered 243 acres of land that too in three separate pieces and on conditional 30 years lease term. Next, the proposed site is illegally encroached by tribals (on the guidelines of some political leaders) that is a big security threat. AMU Administration is not ready to accept the land in 3 pieces, as it might disturb the normal functioning of the elaborate campus where professional as well as traditional courses will be offered. Now it fully depends on Nitish led Bihar Government to take immediate action and provide disturbance free one contiguous piece of land (250 acres – free of cost) to AMU administration.
(The writer is a Delhi based freelance journalist)