Minority status issue to haunt Jamia

NEW DELHI: After Aligarh Muslim University, it’s now the turn of Delhi’s Jamia Milia Islamia (JMI)to be embroiled in the debate on the ‘minority status’ issue.

While the Students Union and Teachers Association of the JMI has sought this status, as well as reservation on the basis of religion, the university authorities turned down the idea, saying that such reservation is untenable. The Centre, however, is playing it safe for now by opining that the similar issue of AMU is pending in the Supreme Court.

JMI authorities, in their refutation of the demand, focused on the secular fabric of the premier educational institution, saying that reservation on the basis of religion cannot be a prudent and justified step. The authorities said religious reservation should not be allowed for either the teachers or students. In an affidavit filed in the National Commission For Minority Educational Institutions, the University stated, “It shall not be lawful to adopt or impose any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle anyone for admission as a student or teacher.”

The affidavit, filed on behalf of the vice-chancellor Prof Mushirul Hassan and registrar SM Afzal, stated that the University is open to all without any discrimination on the basis of creed and race. All the statues and ordinances which regulate the academic and administrative functioning of the University have to be in conformity with its parent law that is the Jamia Milia Islamia Act, which enshrines the secular status of the university.

However, in its response to the notice issued by the Commission , the Centre has sought a stay on the petitions pending before the former. A similar issue relating to the minority character of AMU is sub-judice before a larger Bench of Supreme Court. The decision of the apex will have a bearing on the JMI case, the Centre said in its affidavit.
Earlier, the commission had issued notices to the centre, Ministry of minority Affairs and the University on the petitions moved by both the Students Union and Teachers Association of the university.

A three member judge headed by Justice MSA Siddiqui had asked the concerned parties to respond to the plea of providing reservation to the underprivileged muslim community at least to the extent of 50% of the total seats. A direction was sought to be given to the university to reframe its admission policy in order to accommodate underprivileged muslim students.