By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: A group of faculty members of Jamia Millia Islamia has issued ‘clarification’ expressing their ‘shock’ against what they say is a “campaign of vilification and disinformation” against Professor Akhtarul Wasey.
“We are shocked to see a campaign of vilification and disinformation against Professor Akhtarul Wasey being carried out on social networking sites for his February 2 speech in Jamia Millia Islamia.”
It added, “His speech was the only one which has presented the Muslim community’s grievances for true educational as well as economic deprivation with courage and sophistication.”
These teachers said that as they were part of the gathering and hence they wanted “to put on record that he did not compare the present HRD Minister with Maulana Azad,” adding, “He had only pointed out why her ministry is more important from a Muslim perspective as the first Minister was Maulana Azad.”
The letter has been signed by Prof Mohammad Iqbal (Dept. of Persian), Roomy Naqvi (Dept of English), Prof IM Khan (Dept of Islamic Studies), Dr Mohammad Arshad (Dept of Islamic Studies), Prof Mohammad Ayub (Dept of Arabic), among others.
These teachers reiterated in the statement, “He never flattered anyone but was merely polite and decent.” Shring the Youtube link of his speech, they said that he only called HRD Minister Smriti Irani a successor of Maulana Azad.
On February 2, Jamia had organized a programme in collaboration with little known ‘Muslim Youth for India’ (MYFI), where HRD Minister Smriti Irani was the Chief Guest while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close aide and Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Zafar Sareshwala was the Guest of Honour.
Padma Shri Akhtarul Wasey, Commissioner of the National Commission for Linguistic Minorities, had praised Sareshwala for his work and hoped that under his Chancellorship, MANUU will reach new heights. On the question of why Muslims in the country are lagging behind, Professor Wasey minced no words as he said, “In Muslim localities more police stations are opened than schools.”
He congratulated the HRD Minister for some of the majors she took in short stint and welcomed the attempt at “new dialogue” between the government and the Muslim community. As an institution that beholds the nationalistic character, he reminded, “Jamia can be the best platform” for such a communication.
Invoking first Education Minister of India Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and the founding fathers of Jamia Millia Islamia, Professor Wasey reiterated the need of Hindu-Muslim unity, as he said, “Muslims interests are no different from the country’s interests. If the country progresses than Muslims too will benefit, whose dignity is automatically connected with the fate of the country.”
It is true that Professor Wasey was the most articulate and had voiced the concerns of the Muslims. It is also true that, that he did not directly compare the HRD Minister with Maulana Azad, although he did invoke his name.
However, in its report, TwoCircles.net – as also several other reports – did add that Professor Wasey compared her with the First Education Minister, as even those making the ‘official’ press-releases of the University, too did think that he implied the same, like many sitting in the audience.
The second last paragraph of the University’s press release date February 2, read: “Prof. Akhtarul Wasey also gave an impassioned speech which left the audience mesmerized and also evoked a warm response from the HRD Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani. Comparing her to first Education Minister of India Maulana Azad, and also calling her a “mother – educator”. He made a strong appeal to her to nurture the Muslim population of India towards a bright and educated future.”
In its story, TCN wrote, “Comparing the HRD Minister to first Education Minister of India Maulana Azad, and also calling her a “mother – educator,” he made a strong appeal to her to nurture the Muslim population of India towards a bright and educated future.”
He went on to add hat India’s development would not be possible if 15-16% of its population (comprising Muslims) are neglected, but added, “Muslims do not need alms, they need their rights and equitable participation,” as the young crowd, majority of them school and college students cheered.
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