By TCN News,
Mumbai: In a major development, several NGOs including Social Educational Welfare Association (SEWA) came under a single umbrella and threatened to forcibly take possession of the Ismail Yusuf College at Jogeshwari here.
Stating that this umbrella organisation would not allow any further encroachment by the government or anyone else, the agitation is being led by former MLA and ex-MHADA Chairman Yusuf Abrahani. “The land belongs to the Muslim community. It should be solely managed by the Muslim community,” he said, adding that if necessary amendments are not done, they would forcibly take possession of the college.
He termed as serious the media reports which indicated that the government is planning to set up a Government Law College and few other college inside the 65-acre campus. “It belongs to the Muslim community and the community would decide its future,” he said.
The IY College, as it is popularly known, is one of the oldest Colleges in Mumbai. It was established in 1930 with a big treasure-trove of donation from Sir Mohammed Yusuf Ismail, on the Jogeshwari Hill. The foundation stone was laid by Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, Governor of Bombay in 1924.
“The proposal of its construction and entire cost for execution was met through a huge donation from Sir Mohammed Yusuf in 1914 and the sole purpose of Sir Mohammed Yusuf was to provide and promote higher education among the Muslims. Proposal was accepted by the government in toto and was executed,” he said.
“After the Independence, the formal purpose of this college has been denied. The Muslims of Maharashtra for the last 65 years are demanding that this college and it’s land may be returned to the Muslim community.”
“Here in the city of Mumbai, Dalits got the Indu mill land which was originally a Central Government Land, for Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial,” Abrahani reminded.
He said that as a first step, towards regaining Ismail Yusuf College, state government must allot 25 acres open plot of land exclusively to Muslim Educational organizations, for education purpose. The existing Ismail Yusuf College must be given to Muslims.
The other 37 acres of land from the original IY Complex plot, which has been given to government offices, sports complexes, Marathi school and encroached by slums must also be vacated immediately and should be given to Muslims, the release demanded.