The proposed Centre for Strategic Studies at AMU will be named Tipu Sultan Centre for Strategic Studies.
By TCN News,
The Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah announced that the proposed Centre for Strategic Studies at AMU will be named Tipu Sultan Centre for Strategic Studies. He was delivering presidential address at a Seminar on “Life and Work of Tipu Sultan” to mark the 214th death anniversary of the great ruler of Mysore. The seminar was organized by Sir Syed Awareness Forum (SAF).
Gen. Shah said that as a militaryman, had a great sense of history and he was a great admirer of Tipu Sultan. He said that Tipu Sultan sacrificed his life for the sake of the country. He was a true secular ruler of distinguished character. He was a right statesman and right soldier who donated a huge amount for the construction of temples.
AMU VC addressing the Sir Syed Awareness Function
Chief Guest Yusuf Ansari, Senior Journalist from New Delhi, said that communal forces have always tried to malign the image of Tipu Sultan by calling him a bigot and fanatic. They say that Sultan forcibly converted Hindus to Islam but historical facts have proved that he was a true secular ruler and provided grants to about 150 temples. He said that the sacrifice of Tipu Sultan paved the way for the freedom struggle of the country. He also expressed his unhappiness over the role of media which turned its eye from sacrifice and contributions of Tipu Sultan.
The Director, UGC Academic Staff College, AMU, Prof AR Kidwai praised the efforts of Sir Syed Awareness Forum and said that Tipu was a great Indian freedom fighter and Sir Syed Awareness Forum especially it’s dynamic and vibrant President Dr. Shakeel Samdani should be congratulated for this achievement.
President of the Sir Syed Awareness Forum, Dr. Shakeel Samdani said that it was a matter of great pride for him that the AMU Vice Chancellor accepted to preside over the seminar on the legendary ruler Shaheed Tipu Sultan. He said that the personality of Tipu Sultan did not need any introduction; however, the negative portrayal of Tipu in media and propaganda by communal forces, people had become biased towards his contributions. He said that the younger generation is unaware of his achievements and extra-ordinary contributions towards the country.
Dr. Samdani stressed that Tipu Sultan was not only the ‘Sher-e-Mysore’ and ‘Sher-e-Hind’ but in fact was ‘Sher-e-Mashriq’ (Lion of the East). He said that one can also not compare Tipu Sultan with Napoleon Bonaparte, as Napoleon reconciled with English people but Tipu Sultan happily sacrificed his life for the sake of the country. He also requested the Vice Chancellor to establish a study centre in the name of Tipu Sultan and urged the central government that the airport of Mysore should be named after Tipu Sultan and a chapter on Tipu should be included in NCERT books. He said that Bhagwan S. Gidwani showed his scholarly pursuits and put the record on right track by writing ‘The Sword of Tipu Sultan’ and Sanjay Khan worked hard to wipe out the negative dirt on the character of Tipu Sultan by airing a serial on him.
AMU VC receiving the citation at Sir Syed Awareness Forum Function
Speaking at the seminar, Prof. M Saud Alam Qasmi, Dean, Faculty of Theology said that Shaheed Tipu Sultan was a role model for the present generation. He said that Tipu Sultan was a true patriot and started freedom struggle for the freedom of our beloved country. He said that Tipu Sultan persuaded three objectives – freedom of the country, development of new military techniques and promoting religious tolerance.
Prof. Ali Athar, Department of History said that it was a pity that Tipu Sultan’s descendants were living in misery in Kolkata and other places and were running dhabas or pulling rickshaws. He said that the government of West Bengal has confiscated land pieces allotted to the family members of Tipu Sultan and has not even given compensation to them. He said that Prof. Muhibul Hasan and Prof. B. Sheikh Ali have written wonderful books on Tipu Sultan. He urged the students to go through them as the detailed description of Tipu’s administration and his warfare techniques will provide them ample knowledge of that period.
Prof N.A.K Durrani, former Chairman, Department of Mass Communication said that he belongs to the land of Tipu Sultan and has seen his palaces and other monuments many a time. He said it was disappointing to see these monuments in a very bad condition. He said that Tipu Sultan was a highly educated knowledgeable person. He established a well-equipped library and developed an excellent dam system.
Dr. Shakeel Samdani addressing the Sir Syed Awareness Function
Dr. Mohibul Haque of Political Science, Department of Political Science said that historical facts have always been distorted and the case of Tipu Sultan is not an exception.
Dr. S. Jawed Akhtar said that the aim of the seminar is to highlight the whole life and exemplary work of Tipu Sultan. Secretary of the forum, Mansoor Ilahi said that the forum is pursuing its objective with full dedication.
Earlier, Dr. Obaid Iqbal Asim commenced the programme with recitation from Holy Quran and Fawaz Shaheen welcomed the guests. Nasharh Haider Rizvi highlighted the objectives of the forum and Mina Mahmood proposed the vote of thanks.
The seminar was attended by a large number of faculty members, social activists, students including Prof. Humayun Murad, Ex-Proctor, AMU, Prof. Zakaria Siddiqui, former Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr. Rahat Abrar, PRO, A.R. Khan, Station Superintendent, Aligarh, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Dr. Sameena Khan, Anwar Ali Advocate, Dr Wajid Ali, Zeeshan Ahmad, Assistant PRO, AMU, Ateeq Ansari, Mohd Ahmad Shaivan, Usman Ansari, social activist, Prof Muqimuddin, Ahmar Afaq, Shoeb Ali, Affan Ahmad, Anam Rais Khan, Danish Iqbal, Zia Qadir, Abdullah Samdani, Maaz-ul-Haque, Haider Ali, Advocate, Mohd. Umair Siddiqi, Zain Sulaiman, Tayyeb Ansari, Ayesha Samdani, Sumaiyya Samdani, Rabiya Iqbal, Fabiha Fatima, Dr. Abdullah Mohd Ibrahim Ansari, Maliha Hasan.