The Aligarh Muslim University Teachers Association, in conjunction with prominent alumni, has announced plans to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 15. Their primary demands include the appointment of a full-time Vice Chancellor and raising awareness about several irregularities within the institution. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), responsible for organizing the protest, has revealed that representatives from prominent central universities and distinguished AMU alumni will participate. The protest aims to shed light on the growing crisis at AMU, which stems from the erosion of internal democratic institutions and the violation of rules and regulations outlined in the university’s constitution.

Azam Baig, the JAC convenor and former AMU students’ union president, emphasized that they are mobilizing prominent alumni and former vice-chancellors to engage with MPs, the central education ministry, and the Visitor of the university. Their goal is to draw attention to the potential long-term damage the university could face if the current situation persists. Additionally, the AMU Old Boys’ Association has called upon alumni both within and outside the country to observe October 17 as “Save AMU Day.”

Baig further mentioned that despite their mass movement, students at AMU have been advised to refrain from participating in protests. The JAC is concerned about any disruptions to the students’ academic careers.

Last month, two Samajwadi Party MPs expressed concern in separate letters to President Droupadi Murmu regarding the “unusual delay” in appointing a regular Vice-Chancellor for AMU. They sought the President’s urgent intervention to prevent further deterioration of the situation at the prestigious institution.

Initially, the tenure of the former VC, Tariq Mansoor, who assumed office in May 2017, was set to end in June 2022. However, weeks before his retirement date, the Centre extended his tenure by a year, citing the unusual circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Mansoor resigned in April this year, shortly before his extended tenure was to conclude, as he had been nominated as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council by the BJP.

Source: PTI