By TCN News,
Aligarh: The movement for the restoration of the minority character of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia got big supporter in Union Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid who strongly advocated the demand while addressing a conference at AMU on 12th March 2011.
“Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia were born with the minority character and all that government can do is to recognize, respect and acknowledge it,” Mr. Salman said today while delivering Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture 2010-2011 on the theme “Constitution as an Instrument of Change” at the Kennedy Auditorium of AMU.
L to R -Prof. Shabbir, AMU VC, Mr. Salaman Khursheed, Prof. VK Abdul jaleel Prof IA Khan and Prof Saleem Akhtar
It should be noted here that Jamia Millia Islamia has been recently accorded the minority status by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions. Now the statement of a union minister could bolster the move for the same status for AMU.
The lecture was organized by Dr. Ambedkar Chair of Legal Studies and Research of Department of Law, AMU on the initiative of Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Mr. Khurshid said that there would not be any need of secularism if there was no minority in India. He also drew attention to the fact that India is the only country in the world where there is no reservation for the minorities.
Making a special reference to the Ayodhya verdict he observed that religious sentiments can be a context and not the basis of any Supreme Court Judgment.
Salman Khurshid inaugurtating the Moot Court Building at AMU
Earlier, in his welcome speech Dean, Faculty of Law and In-charge, Dr. Ambedkar Chair of Legal Studies and Research, Prof. Mohammad Shabbir presented a detailed report of the numerous academic and research initiatives that it has started to promote the great legacy of Dr. Ambedkar.
Highlighting the purpose behind establishment of Dr. Ambedkar Chair Prof. Shabbir said: “It was set up in the Faculty of Law in 1991 as part of centenary celebrations of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar to study and conduct research in allocated areas especially human rights, social justice, gender justice, women and law, development of SC, ST, minorities and weaker section of the society.”
AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis, AMU Registrar, Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel , Prof. Iqbal Ali Khan, Chairman and several other officials as well as students were present on the occasion.