By TCN staff reporter,
New Delhi: Muslim MPs across the party line extend their support for the movement to grant the status of Minority Institution to Jamia. Today, to reiterate the demand to declare Jamia Millia Islamia a Muslim Minority institution and reserve 50% of its seats for Muslim students, hundreds of students, teachers, old boys, community leaders and members of the community staged a Dharna at Jantar Mantar. The organizers also demanded the government that, it should not compel Jamia Millia Islamia to OBC reservation.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Shahabuddin, former MP and diplomat said, “It is unfortunate that, government is not acting but that does not mean we should stop demanding our constitutional rights”. He appealed to the community to carry forward the struggle until it has been granted. Rajya Sabha MP, Mohd Adeeb, assured the organizers that he will keep fighting on this in the parliament until Jamia is recognized as a Muslim Minority Educational Institution.
Saeed Ahmad Malihabadi, while expressing his solidarity with the movement said, “I fully support the movement and promise that, I will constantly raise this issue in the parliament”. Kamal Akthter, Rajya Sabha MP and former Jamia Students said, “I have been fighting for this cause since my student days and will continue to it till my last breath. My Party (Samajwadi Party) is also in favour of Jamia’s Minority Character”.
Asif Mohd. Khan, MLA of Okhla constituency addressing the Dahrna said, “Okhala exixt all beacase of Jamia, so being the representative of the constituency I assured that, people of Jamia Nagar is with the movement and will continue to support it”.
Among the leaders who expressed their solidarity includes Dr. SQR Ilyas, spokesperson, Muslim Personal Law Board, Ameeduzaman Keranavi of Muslis Majlise Mushawarat (Salim Group), Abdul Wahab Khilji of All India Milli Council, Suhail K K, President, SIO of India, Ilyas Malik, Covener, Jamia Minority Status Coordination Committee, Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary, Jamaat e Islami Hind and others apart from leaders of different association of Jamia and teachers. The Dharana was jointly organized by Jamia Teachers’ Association, Jamia Old Boys Association, Jamia Administrative Staff Association and many others.