AMU defends its quota policy

Article 30 of the Constitution permits minorities, whether based on religion or language, to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

Ahmed said the decision was in keeping with the Supreme Court judgment in the Tma Pai foundation case, in which it permitted minorities to reserve seats. ‘‘There is nothing communal about the move. The proportion of Muslim and non-Muslim students is going to remain the same. The difference is that we will get Muslim students from all over the country and not just those from among the internal students, most of whom are from Bihar and UP, which will enhance its national character.’’

Reacting to criticism by BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits, Ahmed said that the NDA government had approved 50 per cent reservation for Muslims in Jamia Hamdard University.