By Istikhar Ali, TwoCircles.net
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is one of the most prominent universities in India and is known as an institution of repute at the international level, particularly in African and Gulf countries. It is also a very prestigious university among Muslims and well known among the Muslims in India, and they prefer to pursue higher education here as the culture attracts them. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world founded on the ideals of equality and egalitarianism. However, in AMU, even though most of the population practices Islam, the egalitarian principle still struggles to make its existence. On my recent visit to AMU for a seminar, I was out for a tour of the campus with my friends. It was already night and to my surprise, I found women missing from the campus. This surprise came about the freedom and nightlife culture that I witnessed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and has become a part of my life too. The campus is spectacular and gets brighter post-dusk. The dhabas, student union office, canteens, bus stops, library side, are lively till midnight, but something in AMU was amiss. Later I discovered that there is a timing set for hostels, and girls could not be out after that period, adherence to their way of culture, the Tahzeeb/Sanskriti.
‘Education is the most powerful weapon which one could use to change the world and unlock the freedom’ is a famous maxim by Nelson Mandela. It is a crucial determinant in the struggle for gender equality and empowerment. In India, the patriarchal system adversely affects the society that also reflects in the education system. It also reflects in our everyday behaviour and experiences, like here, restricting hostel timing would earn respect for one’s culture. Even though women have been victimized for ages, many a time women seem to favour and perpetuate the same patriarchal system and accept that men have the right to do this and are correct in their terms. Most of the time, this self-developed inferiority complex among women has widened the gender gap massively that their rights-based struggle now seems to be never-ending. AMU is just an example of such extensive practices across many institutional setups, with normalized victimization of women, declaring themselves as a ‘secular, equal; and democratic space.’
Perhaps, it is the student-led struggle and the presence of Left organization in institutions like JNU, TISS, etc. that has provided equal space for everyone. But even then people, generally those who are not part of these institutions, believe that it is in contradiction to Indian culture. My question to all such narrow-minded people is: why do women have to share the responsibility to respect culture only? Why is such respect exacted through forceful tactics? Why should women be the only ones to respect our social values? Is it women’s responsibility to maintain the hierarchy system and carry honours on their shoulders? Have men all the freedom and all the luxury to enjoy? These questions are perturbing and dissuading women off their rights and liberties. Women have been oppressed through ages, and even today, universities like AMU, DU, JMI, BHU, IIMC, etc. carry forward this legacy. Men should think about this and come speak out for women’s freedom and stand with women.
It is very natural for Muslim men in a Muslim university, being aware of situations, and not to question it. But for an odd-one, it is an entirely different picture and would effectively raise the question of why this is not like mine! One of those, who himself was a student at AMU, found it normal, when asked and started defending for the administrative regulations and stuff. My concern is at least take the consent, or at least give women some option, to have the freedom to make their own choices. Quran makes it clear that Men and Women are equal in the eyes of Allah, but a hierarchy set by humans has put women at the receiving end. Ironically, the majority of people in AMU practice Islam, and contradicting their religious preaching campus was against its egalitarian principle. So everyone has to follow Tehzeeb, but it is only the Male, who could experience it after the sunsets.
The university should be the place where everyone gets the right to attain knowledge, empower themselves, and practice their freedoms and choices equally. The need is to respect women’s presence everywhere and anywhere. They should never feel that the culture they follow or respect by choice’ is trying to kill their rights and freedom. Just one thing I wish to speak directly to women out there… the world is cruel as of now, No one is going to come out for you, and you will have to demand your place, your rights, and your freedom, yourself… do not stop, ever. Just remember, patriarchy has already been challenged long back, by your decision to get educated, we need to keep striving for it. I hope one day, the struggle comes to an end, where world settles for your recognition, your choices, and your well-deserved space.