By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Within a week of his appointment as the Rector (mohtamim) of the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom, Deoband, the liberal and modern Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Wastanavi has faced voices of dissent from the Deoband fraternity.
Member, Executive Body, Deoband and Chairman, Nagar Palika, Haseeb Ahmed Siddiqui in his statement claimed that Deoband needs a full time rector relying on religious teachings. “We do not doubt his educational and other qualifications but it has been the trend of the Deoband to concentrate only on religious teachings. The example is the closure of Jamia Tibbia, a Unani medicine school as it related to worldly affairs,” said Siddiqui. He claimed that a person who can devote his full time to Deoband is the need of the hour.
Wastanvi, hailing from Gujarat has not studied at Deoband. He took over the reins of the seminary on January 10 following the death of its rector Maulana Marghoobur Rehman. Besides possessing MBA degree, he also has a page dedicated to him by his fans on Facebook. He is also a member of Maharashtra Waqf Board and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). He has been awarded Maulana Abul Kalam Azad award by the Maharashtra government for his exemplary work in social sector. He has completed his education of Aalim and Faazil from Surat, Gujarat and MBA from Maharashtra. Ushering a change, Wastnaviis well read man and even is the editor of several periodicals in Urdu, Arabic and Gujarati. He is also on board of several educational institutions and hospitals in Akkalkua, Aurangabad, Nanded and Bhavnagar.
He defeated Maulana Arshad Madani by four votes while the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Deoband, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi got only two votes. The election to the post of rector (mohtamim) is done by shoora of eminent clerics. “We are surprised about the manner in which election was held. Maulana Arshad Madani had never given his acceptance for the post and his name should not have been considered as he is a senior cleric with worldwide recognition and not able to make it in the elections,” added Siddiqui.