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Journalism of Courage
Two Central Universities, the Aligarh Muslim University and the Jamia Millia Islamia, are set to oppose the UGC circular on common entrance examination for technical education tooth and nail.
The academic councils of both universities have voted against the Union Government8217;s move to 8216;8216;streamline admission tests for technical courses8217;8217; and its repercussions were felt in the Lok Sabha today, where the Opposition held up proceedings, accusing the Government of interfering in academic activities of the Aligarh Muslim University. Following the ruckus, Speaker Manohar Joshi adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
Congress MP Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said: 8216;8216;The minority character of the AMU may be affected because of a recent circular issued by the Centre. We want the Government8217;s explanation on the issue.8217;8217;
Opposition MPs stormed the Well of the House protesting against the UGC directive to all universities, asking them not to issue advertisements for admission nor conduct any entrance test for admission to professional courses till the UGC formulated its interim policy regulations for 2004-05 in this regard.
Dissatisfied with the details of the circular provided by Minister of State for Human Resource Development Vallabh Bhai Katheria, the Opposition members created a furore and the Speaker had to adjourn the House.
Later, Katheria told The Indian Express that the government8217;s hands were tied because it had to act in pursuance of a Supreme Court judgement of August 14 which had asked for a common entrance test to avoid harassment to students. Accordingly, the UGC had sent a circular to all universities on November 7, including AMU and Jamia, asking them not to conduct any admission test to professional courses.
The AMU proctor, professor Nafeez Ahmed, said that in early December, the academic council of the university had rejected the UGC circular on more than one ground. He said the AMU was created through an act of Parliament and it can8217;t be asked to forgo its right to admissions without the House deciding on its changed status. 8216;8216;How can we be asked to give up our autonomy?8217;8217; he said.
Speaking on similar lines, the Dean of Academic Studies in Jamia, Professor Akhtarul Wasi, asserted that a Central University can8217;t be asked to give up its right to admit students. Wasi, a former student of AMU, felt that if Jamia and AMU lost their right to admission, then the minority character of these institutions would be lost forever.
