In letter to allies, Arjun passes on buck to varsity

In his letter, Singh has explained that the HRD Ministry only ‘‘conveyed its ‘no objection’ to the University upon being approached by it and after being convinced that the decision was in accordance with the powers conferred on the University by the AMU Act, 1920 and subsequent amendments thereof.’’

Singh has argued that he had not imposed this decision to reserve seats on the university from Delhi.

His letter says, ‘‘All of us who are committed to the NCMP, with the programme’s unwavering commitment to autonomy of institutions of higher learning, would neither doubt the Ministry of HRD’s respect for AMU’s autonomy, nor doubt the strength and the stature of this great institution to protect its own turf from outside dictates.’’

Arguing that the decision was based on the Aligarh Muslim University (Amendment) Act, 1981, Singh has insisted, ‘‘I do not subscribe to the view that because the institution will have a majority of Muslims, therefore, automatically it must be having a communal colour or some kind of obscurantist or reactionary colour…’’

Obviously, Singh and his ministry was not prepared for criticism from the Left block and leading intellectuals like historian Irfan Habib. He has fallen back on the logic of the university authorities that the decision would only strengthen the all-India character of the university and bring Muslims from all over the country.