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The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a prestigious institution in India, has been embroiled in a long-standing debate regarding its minority status. The Supreme Court's 1967 ruling that declared AMU not a minority institution was reversed in a recent judgment. This reversal hinges on a pivotal Act passed by Parliament in 1981, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The 1981 AMU (Amendment) Bill, which reinstated the university's minority status, triggered heated discussions within Parliament, with diverse political ideologies clashing over its implications.
The Congress party, then in power, championed the Bill as a fulfillment of its 1980 election manifesto promise to the Muslim community. This promise held particular significance in the context of the Congress party's attempt to regain Muslim support after experiencing a backlash during the Emergency period. During the 1977 elections, following the Emergency, the Congress party suffered a decisive defeat. The Congress government viewed the AMU amendment as a gesture to appease the Muslim community and bolster its political standing.
However, the proposed amendment faced staunch opposition from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), represented in Parliament by Somnath Chatterjee. Chatterjee argued that granting minority status to AMU would compromise its secular character. He expressed concerns that this amendment could lead to sectarian control, potentially undermining the university's neutrality and hindering the promotion of secular ideals. He voiced apprehensions about the potential for a coterie of theologians or communalists to exert undue influence over the institution, potentially compromising academic standards and employee rights.
In contrast, several members from other political parties, including Ram Jethmalani and Subramanian Swamy of the Janata Party (who later aligned with the BJP), voiced their support for the Bill. They argued that granting AMU minority status was essential for the institution's identity and the advancement of Muslim education. Jethmalani, however, criticized the Bill for failing to explicitly define AMU as an institution established “by Muslims for Muslims”. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the university from the influence of ideologies deemed incompatible with Islam. Notably, he criticized the Left, suggesting that Communism should be excluded from the university's curriculum. Swamy, echoing similar concerns, expressed fears of Marxist control within the university, highlighting what he perceived as an oligarchic influence.
The debate surrounding the AMU (Amendment) Bill highlighted the complex intersection of religious identity, educational policy, and political maneuvering in Indian society. The Congress government sought to appease the Muslim community and consolidate its political base, while the CPI(M) fiercely defended its secular ideology. The debate also revealed contrasting perspectives on the role of education in fostering social progress, with some advocating for the preservation of religious values and others emphasizing the importance of secular principles. The 1981 Act, which ultimately restored AMU's minority status, became a testament to the evolving dynamics of Indian politics and its impact on education.
Source: When Parliament debated the 1981 Act to which AMU minority status can be traced