By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
‘Was Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi actually sacked in the Wednesday meeting of Majilis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband?’ The question may surprise many as the Gujarat-based cleric was beaming as he emerged from the meeting, and said he remains rector of the most influential Islamic seminary in the sub-continent.
But the official statement released after the meeting on behalf of Majilis-e-Shura, the powerful governing body of the seminary, has several points that indicate that the road ahead for the controversial rector at the seminary has been blocked by the Shura and his presence on the post is just for show and his exit is a matter of time.
It is believed that rather than sacking or summarily accepting his resignation which he offered at the meeting, the Deoband Shura chose for a mechanism that will make Vastanvi powerless and insignificant at the seminary and ensure his silent, ‘graceful’ exit. Two decisions of the Shura make the belief strong.
Firstly, appointment of Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani as acting rector with full power was not required if the Shura had full faith in Maulana Vastanvi because in the presence and availability of an elected, regular rector there was no need for an acting rector. Yes, late Maulana Ghulam Rasool Khamosh was appointed acting rector of the seminary in the last period of Maulana Marghubur Rahman as he had to stay 15 days of every month at his home in Bijnor but the case of Maulana Vastanvi is totally different as he does not have such problem. More importantly, the appointment of acting rector was not at all on the agenda of the Shura meeting on 23rd Feb.
Secondly, the Shura has constituted a 3-member sub-committee to probe the allegations against Maulana Vastanvi and to put recommendations on the issue but the committee was not given any deadline for submission of the report despite being a serious matter. It means Vastanvi will stay powerless and when Shura will feel that matter gets calm they will sack him publicly.
Thirdly, the statement says that in case the report of the committee goes against Vastanvi, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani will be permanent rector automatically.
Put all the points together and one can conclude that Maulana Vastanvi actually has been sacked but taking cautious step to avoid media criticism that was campaigning in his favor the decision was not made public.
That he has been sacked is also supported by developments at the meeting. According to various reliable sources at the seminary, as the meeting began Maulana Vastanvi submitted his resignation papers but he requested the Shura not to sack him immediately taking his position and respect that he holds into account. Shura accepted his point and appointed Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani acting rector with full power and put the matter of Vstanvi on hold till report comes. It means he is rector no more, instead Maulana Nomani is already permanent rector.
The Wednesday meeting was attended by 14 out of 18 members of the Shura. Interestingly, strong supporter of Maulana Vastanvi MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal was among the four absentee members. Other three members who could not attend the meeting were Maulana Nizamudin of Bihar, Maulana Rabe Hassan Nadvi of Lucknow and Haji Jamil of Kolkata.
Press statement