Aligarh /
The Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (retd) today clarified that the recent leaked reports in the media regarding his meeting with Human Resource Development Minister, Mrs. Smriti Irani were meant to create controversy and tarnish AMU’s image, when the university is engaged in efforts to maintain its ‘Minority Character’ and status as the second best university of the country.
The Vice Chancellor said that he was invited by the Kerala Chief Minister to meet the HRD Minister at her office at 10:30 am on January 8, 2016.
“I reached the appointment place at 10:20 am and was told by her secretary that HRD Minister was indisposed and the meeting was rescheduled at her residence,” said the AMU Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor added that he reached the new location at about 11:30 am and was escorted by Chief Minister of Kerala’s representative to the place of meeting. He added that he did not attend the meeting.
“I will reserve further comments on this,” said the Vice Chancellor.
“At the meeting, the Chief Minster informed me that HRD Minister was adamant that the AMU Centres were illegally established and would not be funded by
Ministry of Human Resource Development despite being told that the AMU Centres had been approved by the highest policy making-bodies, the AMU Executive Council and Court, Government of India and the President of India,” said the AMU Vice Chancellor.
He has clarified that the AMU Act 1920 permits the university to have these centres including the one in Malappuram, Kerala.
The Vice Chancellor in the clarification has stated that the ACT reads: ‘The University may also, with the sanction of the ‘Visitor’ (President of India) and ‘Subject’ to the Statutes and Ordinances, establish and maintain Institutions for research and instruction, which are necessary for the furtherance of its objects, either on its own or in cooperation or collaboration with any other Institution.’
“However, it is apparent that a certain AMU alumnus has wrongly informed the Minister, MHRD that the Centres have been established illegally,” said the Vice Chancellor adding that he will soon meet the Hon’ble Prime Minister to resolve the problems.
Referring to the media reports, the Vice Chancellor said, “it would take a lot to humiliate a veteran of the Longewala Battle of 1971, who spent the better part of his 40 years in the Army fighting insurgencies in Punjab and North-East India and dousing communal passions in various riots.” Press Release from AMU