ALIGARH
MUSLIM UNIVERSITY - MODERN HISTORY
News:
What is the long-running
legal dispute over Aligarh Muslim University’s minority character?
What's
in the news?
●
The Supreme Court’s seven-judge Bench has
begun hearing the long-standing dispute over the minority status of Aligarh
Muslim University (AMU), a contention that spans nearly six decades.
AMU’s
Establishment:
Origin:
●
AMU traces its roots to the Muhammadan
Anglo-Oriental (MOA) College, founded by Sir
Syed Ahmad Khan in 1875 to address Muslims’ educational backwardness.
University
Status in 1920:
●
The institution gained university status
in 1920, transitioning from MOA College to AMU, with a focus on both Western
education and Islamic theology.
Dispute
over Minority Status:
●
Article
30(1) of the Constitution: It says that all minorities, whether
based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer
educational institutions of their choice.
●
Initial
Legal Challenges: The Supreme Court’s 1967 ruling in S.
Azeez Basha vs. Union of India marked the beginning of the legal dispute,
questioning the amendments to the AMU Act and the university’s administration.
●
Supreme
Court’s 1967 Verdict: The court held that AMU was not
established nor administered by the Muslim minority, emphasizing that it was
created by a central act for government recognition of its degrees.
Nationwide
Protests and Political Response:
●
1981
Amendment Affirming Minority Status: Following protests by
Muslims, the government amended the AMU Act in 1981, explicitly recognizing its
minority status.
●
Allahabad
High Court’s 2005 Ruling: The High Court overturned AMU’s
reservation policy and nullified the 1981 amendment, aligning with the Supreme
Court’s 1967 decision.
Recent
Developments and Government Stance:
●
Withdrawal
of Appeal by NDA Government: In 2016, the NDA
government withdrew its appeal in the Supreme Court, stating it could not
endorse setting up a minority institution in a secular state.
●
Referral
to a Larger Bench: In 2019, a three-judge Bench led by then
CJI Ranjan Gogoi referred the matter to a seven-judge Bench for a comprehensive
review.
Current
Proceedings in the Supreme Court:
●
Composition
of the Bench: The case is being heard by a Bench
comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Others.
●
Focus
of the Hearing: The Bench is set to deliberate on the
complex historical, legal, and constitutional aspects surrounding AMU’s
minority status.
Aligarh
Movement:
●
The Aligarh Movement was a socio-religious
reform movement initiated by Sayyid Ahmad Khan in the late 19th century.
Establishment
of the College:
●
In 1875, Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
●
The college aimed to promote the spread of Western sciences and culture
among the Muslim community in India. This college later evolved into
Aligarh Muslim University, a prominent educational institution in India.
Emphasis
on Western Education:
●
The Aligarh Movement focused on the
importance of Western education and the adoption of modern knowledge.
●
Sayyid Ahmad Khan believed that Muslims
needed to embrace modern education and sciences to overcome their
socio-economic backwardness and keep pace with the changing world.
Intellectual
and Leadership Development:
●
The graduates of Aligarh Muslim University
played a significant role in the intellectual and leadership development of the
Muslim community.
●
They became influential figures who
contributed to modernizing and guiding
the community through their knowledge and skills.
Social
Reforms:
●
Sayyid Ahmad Khan advocated for social
reforms within the Muslim community. He encouraged Muslims to abandon medieval customs and traditions and
adopt a more progressive outlook.
●
He supported the elevation of women's status in society, the abolition of purdah
(seclusion of women), and the spread of education among women.
●
He also spoke out against polygamy and divorce practices.
Communal
Harmony:
●
Sayyid Ahmad Khan promoted communal
harmony and unity between Hindus and Muslims.
●
He emphasized the shared cultural and
geographical heritage of Indians, urging both communities to come together for
the betterment of the nation.
●
However,
towards the end of his life, he expressed concerns about Hindu dominance to
dissuade his followers from joining the rising nationalist movement.
The Aligarh Movement had
a significant impact on the intellectual, educational, and social development
of the Muslim community in India. It played a crucial role in promoting modern
education, fostering leadership, and initiating social reforms among Indian
Muslims.