Showing posts with label Vice Chancellor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vice Chancellor. Show all posts
Sunday, March 4, 2012
‘Denying’ Senior Scale: Woes of the Shudras among the AMU Teachers
‘Denying’ Senior Scale: Woes of the Shudras among the AMU TeachersIn late August 2008 the then [plagiarist and scamster] VC, wreaked a kind of havoc, and made a [vindictive] alteration in the rules, pertaining to Senior Scale for the Asstt. Professors. His most unscrupulous slaves in the EC endorsed it, disregarding protests and note of dissent by some of the EC members. In early November 2008, a gang of teachers, slaves of the then administration, almost manhandled the teachers agitating, through the AMUTA-GBM, against such a regressive and unjustified move. The then VC did not however implement even that regressive rule amended by him. Consequently, a good number of teachers suffered, including some of his [own] slaves/footsoldiers; a fairly good number of teachers continue to suffer from absolutely unjustified stagnation.Now, the incumbent VC is reluctant about invoking 19 (3) to make necessary minor amendment so that justice prevails. He seems to have made a submission before the same disgusting bureaucracy, and has allowed them to become his dependable and trustworthy advisor. This particular section of bureaucracy extracted illegal favour of promotion for itself only to be undone by the UGC. At least one of our ex-representatives is said to have made his unofficial office in the chamber of one such 'wonderful' officer. The absolutely rightful prayer of the affected poor and hapless teachers has mischievously been mired into the web of disgustingly unjustifiable, immoral, and incomprehensible 'legalities'. The file, having sadistically been made bulky, is flying from this table to that, thanks to the ace red-tapists, and their artistically excellent kick-shots of the bureaucratic football game expertise. The section of teachers [who ‘lovingly’ became slaves of the then VC, the plagiarist and scamster] has illegally taken higher pay and promotion in brazen violation of the UGC-Govt order F. No. 1-2/2009(EC/PS) Pt. V dated 14 September 2010 [Sr. No. 108, UGC website, section ‘Notices’]; unsurprisingly, the claim of the similarly positioned teachers remain in abeyance. Another Central University had to make recovery of the over-paid salary in similar case.The AMUTA remains silent on this bizarre illegality; and on the issue of Sr. Scale, it prefers not to move beyond the ritual of passing a resolution by its Executive Committee. The most “visible” Marxists of the campus have already displayed their worst form of slavery and establishmentarian politics, extracting unscrupulous favours for more privileged cadres, while wilfully discrediting their own politics, ideology and organization. A sect(ion) of Islamists will teach us everything which could help get us Behisht after our death (one votary of it was, and is still there, in the EC which 'denied' the Sr. Scale). Another sect(ion) of the Islamists seem to be suggesting through their silence and inaction that all justice will be dispensed only after they will succeed in establishing the Hukumat-e-Ilahiya or Nizam-e-Mustafa, at least in AMU, if not elsewhere on the planet. Yet another sect(ion) of the Islamists might be suggesting them to pay obeisance to some pirs’ khanqahs, seeking the intercession of those exalted souls for favourable divine intervention, and that the human agency, by now, stands incapacitated.All else might well be enjoying such a lovely game of football, shouting aloud in ecstasy, deep within their hearts. Who says, these connoisseurs of the art of game, are insensitive’?Tujhey kya bataaoon kya hai shab-e-gham buri balaa haiMujhey kya buraa tha marna agar ek baar hota (Ghalib) POSTSRIPT: Plz keep watching this space for expose' on the dark-room manipulations by the age-old power brokers [across the spectrum] of AMU to grab the post of Pro Vice Chancellor, of course by invoking 19 (3). Regards,Mohammad Sajjad Asstt. Prof. Centre of Advanced Study in History Aligarh Muslim University (India)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Former VC Naseem Ahmad Targeted by Hon’ble Azis
Kam Maya Wa Na-Ahel Wa Riyakar Hai Hamid
Lekin Yeh Na Theen Aapke Farmane Ki Batein
(Saiyid Hamid)
I was not at all surprised at the outburst of Dr. Azis against the former Vice Chancellor, Mr. Naseem Ahmad, calling his period as the darkest one in AMU history. Such remarks are expected of a person with zero credibility and doubtful integrity, which only confirms his undesirable style of functioning. The remarks are not only in bad taste but too bad for a bad report. At the outset let me make it clear that I do not hold any brief for Mr. Naseem Ahmad and I had absolutely no contact with him, as usual, when he was the Vice Chancellor.
Mr. Naseem Ahmad was the first Vice Chancellor, who had the courage and conviction to declare that the AMU is a minority institution unlike his predecessors who often referred to it as the HISTORICAL CHARACTER. They lacked the nerves to speak the truth; perhaps they considered it a wiser way. The credit of implementing the long due reservation policy also goes to Mr. Ahmad. While all the earlier VCs were jittery and avoided it. It is a different matter that the Court not only quashed reservation but the Minority status also and went ahead to declare that even the Parliament has not been so empowered. You are, however, the first and probably the last VC in having scant respect for rules and regulations, absorbed in manipulations of the worst type by spreading lies and distorting the Act, Statutes, not concerned with the development of the University or enhancement of its academic standards. Did AMU in its ignorance cause any harm to you?
Ek Do Zakhm Nahin Jism Hai Sara Chhalni
Dard Bechara Pareshan Hai Kahan Se Ut’the
(Saiyid Hamid)
However, your fate is written on the wall. Please refer to the provision of the Statute 40(2), which reads, “…any officer salaried or otherwise may be removed on either of the following grounds, i) the officer has become incapable of performing his duties…”. You have invited the wrath by proving yourself as ‘incapable’ of performing your duty in observing the rules, a major duty assigned to the VC as per Statute 3(2) and nobody else in the University. Neither Mr. Sibbal nor Mr. Pranab Mukherjee can pull you out of the grave that you have dug for yourself. Do you still believe you can escape the guillotine? No one believes your statement that you would cooperate with the Visitor’s enquiry, in progress, as long as you occupy the chair. Why the realization has come so late after one year? Another big farce. What is the game behind it?
Mr. Naseem Ahmad owing to his sincerity, devotion and commitment to the Alma Mater (the qualities you awfully lack, rather you don’t believe in) stood firm like a rock against the determined onslaught of the then BJP Government and refused to hold Central all India Test on the ground that the AMU is an autonomous Minority Institution and requires no orders from the Central Govt regarding the governance of the University. And we could raise our heads high which we deserved. In your view, he must be a fool who missed the golden opportunity to earn a place with the Masters for all times to come like you and of course several other Muslims. Some people are late learners and some never learn. You are really great as you are taking orders even from Babus like Mr. Sunil Kumar, the Jt secretary, MHRD and we have often seen running in the corridors of power and prostrating before the bureaucracy to save yourself from all the allegations against you. We know, you are very well aware of the futility of the Special Centres for Muslims, at the cost of the University’s basic character. The proposal of these centres is nothing but a glorified gimmick to appease the Masters and to mint whatever comes to hand. These Centres are like blind men sitting in a dark room in search of a black cat which is not there.
Could you tell, which provision of the University Act & Statutes etc you have not violated?
Mr. Naseem Ahmad is a God fearing Muslim, honest and sincere in his dealings, always treated students as his own children and regarded the teachers as equals (not as Vice Chancellors personal servants to accompany and follow him wherever he goes to which the students are stark witnesses. This is more than sufficient to denigrate them before their own students (Do you really know that two teacher Assistant Proctors, remain on duty with you, whenever you go out from your residence, be it your office or elsewhere). He firmly believed that if every act of student indiscipline requires police presence and rustication extreme penalties, to establish discipline, which Aligarh rejects, the system will collapse. The moment a VC resorts to the police help like you he ceases the right to continue as AMU VC, who is a leader of the community – no father hands over students to police whatever be the situation. He avoided awarding extreme punishments to students keeping in view of their lives and career and the values and the traditions. Keeping this Aligarh ethos he revived the Students Union, which terrifies you. Give our own students their due, the statutory right of representation, especially when you are in full control and normalcy is restored to the full. Where Naseem Saheb, has failed, as claimed by you? You, Mr. Azis, unfortunately believe in terrorizing the students, intimidating the staff and generating a reign of terror on the campus with the help of Police, Security personnel, CCTV Cameras and what not and have the cheeks to claim you have achieved the normalcy on the campus. YOU ARE SITTING ON A VOLCANO
We are witness to the incident; a teacher was found guilty of moral turpitude and accepted his guilt; Naseem Saheb let him off only to save the teaching fraternity from a stigma. The very same Hon’ble teacher, you having confirmed that he was charged of plagiarizing a book and embezzled Hall money, you have chosen him as your legal adviser. “To err is human and to forgive is divine”, is perhaps the guiding principle for you in this particular case. But why then have you encouraged and harbored people of doubtful integrity and character? A man is known by the company he keeps.
Please recall the day when you were taken in the traditional carriage driven by horses to the office of the Vice Chancellor to take over the charge when Professor Saleemuddin, the then Pro-Vice chancellor (whom you designate as former VC. Why? Because you hold teachers in high esteem and misbehaves with them and victimize them when suits you) was asked by the Students’ Union President to step down from the carriage and he occupied the seat of Prof. Saleemuddin. You, instead of reprimanding the President because of his outrageous behaviour, cultivated him. For this student leader English was a foreign language and Urdu for you. How did you converse with him frequently?
Kindly recall the incident of September 2007, three months after your joining the University. This was culmination of the policy of appeasement of student leaders that you adopted immediately after your arrival. After the unfortunate incident of September 2007, you insisted for an enquiry and the E.C. endorsed your proposal, yet you did not allow the enquiry to be conducted. This points an accusing finger at you and exposes your treacherous ways. Is it because you too are responsible for the said incident due to your above said policies?
Finally you realize it or not, you have committed a suicidal mistake by crossing swords with a person, who stood by his commitments inspite of some of his failures and mistakes, that came his way but you are the one who has no concern and commitment to any one in the world except to your own good-self.
Let the readers decide the darkness of the period.
We, shall receive respect in proportion of the respect, we give to others.
May God help us.
Sincerely,
Prof. Ziauddin Ahmad,
Professor of Botany, Rtd.
__._,_.___
Lekin Yeh Na Theen Aapke Farmane Ki Batein
(Saiyid Hamid)
I was not at all surprised at the outburst of Dr. Azis against the former Vice Chancellor, Mr. Naseem Ahmad, calling his period as the darkest one in AMU history. Such remarks are expected of a person with zero credibility and doubtful integrity, which only confirms his undesirable style of functioning. The remarks are not only in bad taste but too bad for a bad report. At the outset let me make it clear that I do not hold any brief for Mr. Naseem Ahmad and I had absolutely no contact with him, as usual, when he was the Vice Chancellor.
Mr. Naseem Ahmad was the first Vice Chancellor, who had the courage and conviction to declare that the AMU is a minority institution unlike his predecessors who often referred to it as the HISTORICAL CHARACTER. They lacked the nerves to speak the truth; perhaps they considered it a wiser way. The credit of implementing the long due reservation policy also goes to Mr. Ahmad. While all the earlier VCs were jittery and avoided it. It is a different matter that the Court not only quashed reservation but the Minority status also and went ahead to declare that even the Parliament has not been so empowered. You are, however, the first and probably the last VC in having scant respect for rules and regulations, absorbed in manipulations of the worst type by spreading lies and distorting the Act, Statutes, not concerned with the development of the University or enhancement of its academic standards. Did AMU in its ignorance cause any harm to you?
Ek Do Zakhm Nahin Jism Hai Sara Chhalni
Dard Bechara Pareshan Hai Kahan Se Ut’the
(Saiyid Hamid)
However, your fate is written on the wall. Please refer to the provision of the Statute 40(2), which reads, “…any officer salaried or otherwise may be removed on either of the following grounds, i) the officer has become incapable of performing his duties…”. You have invited the wrath by proving yourself as ‘incapable’ of performing your duty in observing the rules, a major duty assigned to the VC as per Statute 3(2) and nobody else in the University. Neither Mr. Sibbal nor Mr. Pranab Mukherjee can pull you out of the grave that you have dug for yourself. Do you still believe you can escape the guillotine? No one believes your statement that you would cooperate with the Visitor’s enquiry, in progress, as long as you occupy the chair. Why the realization has come so late after one year? Another big farce. What is the game behind it?
Mr. Naseem Ahmad owing to his sincerity, devotion and commitment to the Alma Mater (the qualities you awfully lack, rather you don’t believe in) stood firm like a rock against the determined onslaught of the then BJP Government and refused to hold Central all India Test on the ground that the AMU is an autonomous Minority Institution and requires no orders from the Central Govt regarding the governance of the University. And we could raise our heads high which we deserved. In your view, he must be a fool who missed the golden opportunity to earn a place with the Masters for all times to come like you and of course several other Muslims. Some people are late learners and some never learn. You are really great as you are taking orders even from Babus like Mr. Sunil Kumar, the Jt secretary, MHRD and we have often seen running in the corridors of power and prostrating before the bureaucracy to save yourself from all the allegations against you. We know, you are very well aware of the futility of the Special Centres for Muslims, at the cost of the University’s basic character. The proposal of these centres is nothing but a glorified gimmick to appease the Masters and to mint whatever comes to hand. These Centres are like blind men sitting in a dark room in search of a black cat which is not there.
Could you tell, which provision of the University Act & Statutes etc you have not violated?
Mr. Naseem Ahmad is a God fearing Muslim, honest and sincere in his dealings, always treated students as his own children and regarded the teachers as equals (not as Vice Chancellors personal servants to accompany and follow him wherever he goes to which the students are stark witnesses. This is more than sufficient to denigrate them before their own students (Do you really know that two teacher Assistant Proctors, remain on duty with you, whenever you go out from your residence, be it your office or elsewhere). He firmly believed that if every act of student indiscipline requires police presence and rustication extreme penalties, to establish discipline, which Aligarh rejects, the system will collapse. The moment a VC resorts to the police help like you he ceases the right to continue as AMU VC, who is a leader of the community – no father hands over students to police whatever be the situation. He avoided awarding extreme punishments to students keeping in view of their lives and career and the values and the traditions. Keeping this Aligarh ethos he revived the Students Union, which terrifies you. Give our own students their due, the statutory right of representation, especially when you are in full control and normalcy is restored to the full. Where Naseem Saheb, has failed, as claimed by you? You, Mr. Azis, unfortunately believe in terrorizing the students, intimidating the staff and generating a reign of terror on the campus with the help of Police, Security personnel, CCTV Cameras and what not and have the cheeks to claim you have achieved the normalcy on the campus. YOU ARE SITTING ON A VOLCANO
We are witness to the incident; a teacher was found guilty of moral turpitude and accepted his guilt; Naseem Saheb let him off only to save the teaching fraternity from a stigma. The very same Hon’ble teacher, you having confirmed that he was charged of plagiarizing a book and embezzled Hall money, you have chosen him as your legal adviser. “To err is human and to forgive is divine”, is perhaps the guiding principle for you in this particular case. But why then have you encouraged and harbored people of doubtful integrity and character? A man is known by the company he keeps.
Please recall the day when you were taken in the traditional carriage driven by horses to the office of the Vice Chancellor to take over the charge when Professor Saleemuddin, the then Pro-Vice chancellor (whom you designate as former VC. Why? Because you hold teachers in high esteem and misbehaves with them and victimize them when suits you) was asked by the Students’ Union President to step down from the carriage and he occupied the seat of Prof. Saleemuddin. You, instead of reprimanding the President because of his outrageous behaviour, cultivated him. For this student leader English was a foreign language and Urdu for you. How did you converse with him frequently?
Kindly recall the incident of September 2007, three months after your joining the University. This was culmination of the policy of appeasement of student leaders that you adopted immediately after your arrival. After the unfortunate incident of September 2007, you insisted for an enquiry and the E.C. endorsed your proposal, yet you did not allow the enquiry to be conducted. This points an accusing finger at you and exposes your treacherous ways. Is it because you too are responsible for the said incident due to your above said policies?
Finally you realize it or not, you have committed a suicidal mistake by crossing swords with a person, who stood by his commitments inspite of some of his failures and mistakes, that came his way but you are the one who has no concern and commitment to any one in the world except to your own good-self.
Let the readers decide the darkness of the period.
We, shall receive respect in proportion of the respect, we give to others.
May God help us.
Sincerely,
Prof. Ziauddin Ahmad,
Professor of Botany, Rtd.
__._,_.___
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Darkest Period of AMU?
The V.C., Dr. P.K. Abdul Azis, in his propaganda campaign, called a meeting in the Kennedy Hall on 14.06.2010. For the audience, entire staff of the Registrar’s office was called there. Obviously the work in the Registrar’s office remained suspended during this period. He explained his three years’ achievements. Some of his men delivered speeches in his praises obviously with exaggerations according to our typical culture. Objectionable part of this whole campaign is that he got his ‘Profile’ printed at the cost of the University and distributed among the audience.Still more objectionable is that he wrote in this ‘Profile’ the period of his predecessor as the ‘darkest period’ of the history of Aligarh. Not only this time but he is on record having said on so many occasions that he took over as Vice Chancellor of AMU at a time which, according to him, was the darkest period in the history of AMU. Obviously he is referring to the period when Mr. Naseem Ahmad, IAS, was the Vice Chancellor for almost five years. Since I was also part and parcel of that administration, I have full justification to comment on this irresponsible statement of Dr. Azis Saheb. Till he commented verbally I kept quiet but now when he has come out in writing, my response seems essential. Though I feel it highly embarrassing to discuss this point in public yet Dr. Azis has stooped down so low that I am left with no option but to open my mouth, Hum Bhi Munh Mein Zuban Rakhte Hain – Kash Poochho Ki Mud’daa Kiya Hai.
Making such comments against his predecessor is in a very bad taste, unbecoming of a Vice Chancellor and against propriety. No officer in a sober and cultured society is expected to talk ill of his predecessor. I am sorry to say that he leaves no limits when it comes to vigorous publicizing, rather marketing, of his so called ‘achievements,’ completely forgetting that he is paid for precisely all he has done or undone so far. So where is the need for such an aggressive propaganda and that too at the cost of the university funds? Has any of his predecessors indulged in such an exercise of self–praise? To my knowledge, none.
Because all of them were sober, committed and quiet persons whose only agenda was serving the University in line with the dreams of Sir Syed. They shun all gimmicks of cheap publicity. What is worse about Dr. Azis is that in his over–drive for selling himself, he deliberately denigrates his predecessors to prove that he is the only shining star in the long list of the Vice Chancellors of AMU. I wish there was someone among his so called ‘advisors’ who could advise him that he should not indulge in malicious propaganda against the previous Vice Chancellors.
Here are a few interrogatories for the ‘greatest achiever’, Dr. Azis Saheb:
1. Was the University ever closed sine die during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad? Not even for a day, compared to two long spells of sine die closures during the tenure of Dr. Azis Saheb. The two murders, which Dr. Azis Saheb has referred to time and again , were committed after Mr. Naseem Ahmad had left the charge. Can Dr. Azis Saheb deny this fact which is in the common knowledge on the campus?
2. Who revived the AMU students’ union after a long gap? The answer is obvious. What about Dr. Azis Saheb?
3. Was there ever any delay in admissions, examinations and declaration of results during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad? Never
4. Who stopped the practice of arbitrary nominations in admissions and introduced the transparent system of nominations strictly on merit under various categories? On the other hand a very competent lady (Professor Imrana Naseem) was relinquished of her charge as OSD of Girls’ Sch. by Dr. Azis Saheb only because she refused to entertain an arbitrary admission of the recommendee of Mr. Fatmi, the then a Minister.
5. Were there any complaints regarding admissions or conduct of examinations and various entrance tests during Mr. Naseem Ahmad’s tenure? The reply is again in the negative.
6. Who submitted the proposals regarding the up-gradation of J.N Medical College and Z.H College of Engineering and Technology? Who started construction work of the Endocrinology Centre? Who initiated and almost completed the construction work of Dr. Ambedkar Hall for boys and Begum Sultan Jahan Hall for girls? Who started the restoration work of some of the heritage buildings like Victoria Gate wing of S.S Hall, Justice Mahmood’s bungalow (Pili Kothi) and PVC Lodge (It was renovated especially for the purpose of VIP guests and was attached to the Guest House, which has now been allotted to the “extraordinarily competent our illustrious Registrar” by the V.C., who enjoys a luxurious life there)? Who got completed the construction work of the building of Prof. K.A Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies? Who arranged for uninterrupted supply of electricity for the entire AMU campus and got constructed a separate Sub-station for the University? Who got almost all the University roads repaired and re-carpeted? Who ensured introduction of the UGC’s model curricula in almost all the courses? At whose initiative the Govt. of India approved the proposal for establishment of Urdu Academy in not only AMU but two other central universities? Can Dr. Azis deny that these initiatives were taken during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad?
7. Who raised the banner, though unsuccessfully, for the restoration of minority character of AMU? The reply is again obvious. During the tenure of Dr. Azis Saheb, the University Counsel absented himself on three consecutive hearing dates from Supreme Court without seeking adjournment and Dr. Azis Saheb has failed to take any action against the Counsel, why?
8. Who can deny that four University convocations were held during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad? Only one convocation could not be held due to the non availability of the VIP who had earlier given the consent to be the Chief Guest for the occasion?
9. Was he not Mr. Naseem Ahmad who raised a banner of successful revolt against the MHRD’s move for common entrance tests for various professional courses?
10. Did Mr. Naseem Ahmad control students’ discipline involving the Police or did he strengthen University’s own discipline system?
11. Lastly were there any allegations of corruption and financial bungling against Mr. Naseem Ahmad or against any of the other Vice Chancellor’s who preceded Dr. Abdul Azis? Let Dr. Azis Saheb himself reply.
The Real Darkest Periods of AMU:
1. One of the darkest periods in the history of Aligarh was when the AMU Act was repealed in 1965 by an Ordinance and Government wanted to drop the word ‘Muslim’ from AMU and nationalize it on the pattern of the Osmania University, Hyderabad i.e. the Minority Character was in danger .
2. Another darkest period of the University is now when, i) the Visitor of the University, for the first time in history, has ordered an enquiry against the present Vice Chancellor, Dr. Abdul Azis for his alleged involvement in financial corruptions and when, ii) the Residential Character of the University is put to danger in the name of the so called Special Centers.
My sincere advice to Dr. P.K Abdul Azis is that it is still time for him to do mid-course correction in his self centered and autocratic style of functioning. He should come out clean of the serious charges of corruption against him. He should try to learn the knack of taking people along with him and should stop throwing mud at others.
I am extremely constrained to write these comments and making it public.
Waqif Hain Mukhalif Bhi Mizajon Se Hamare – Humlog Dua Dete Hain Gali Nahin Dete
I hope Dr. P.K Abdul Azis Saheb is listening.
Regretfully,
Dr. Nafees Ahmad,
Professor of Ophthalmic Biochem, Rtd.
G-2, Dream Homes, S.S. Nagar, Aligarh
Making such comments against his predecessor is in a very bad taste, unbecoming of a Vice Chancellor and against propriety. No officer in a sober and cultured society is expected to talk ill of his predecessor. I am sorry to say that he leaves no limits when it comes to vigorous publicizing, rather marketing, of his so called ‘achievements,’ completely forgetting that he is paid for precisely all he has done or undone so far. So where is the need for such an aggressive propaganda and that too at the cost of the university funds? Has any of his predecessors indulged in such an exercise of self–praise? To my knowledge, none.
Because all of them were sober, committed and quiet persons whose only agenda was serving the University in line with the dreams of Sir Syed. They shun all gimmicks of cheap publicity. What is worse about Dr. Azis is that in his over–drive for selling himself, he deliberately denigrates his predecessors to prove that he is the only shining star in the long list of the Vice Chancellors of AMU. I wish there was someone among his so called ‘advisors’ who could advise him that he should not indulge in malicious propaganda against the previous Vice Chancellors.
Here are a few interrogatories for the ‘greatest achiever’, Dr. Azis Saheb:
1. Was the University ever closed sine die during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad? Not even for a day, compared to two long spells of sine die closures during the tenure of Dr. Azis Saheb. The two murders, which Dr. Azis Saheb has referred to time and again , were committed after Mr. Naseem Ahmad had left the charge. Can Dr. Azis Saheb deny this fact which is in the common knowledge on the campus?
2. Who revived the AMU students’ union after a long gap? The answer is obvious. What about Dr. Azis Saheb?
3. Was there ever any delay in admissions, examinations and declaration of results during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad? Never
4. Who stopped the practice of arbitrary nominations in admissions and introduced the transparent system of nominations strictly on merit under various categories? On the other hand a very competent lady (Professor Imrana Naseem) was relinquished of her charge as OSD of Girls’ Sch. by Dr. Azis Saheb only because she refused to entertain an arbitrary admission of the recommendee of Mr. Fatmi, the then a Minister.
5. Were there any complaints regarding admissions or conduct of examinations and various entrance tests during Mr. Naseem Ahmad’s tenure? The reply is again in the negative.
6. Who submitted the proposals regarding the up-gradation of J.N Medical College and Z.H College of Engineering and Technology? Who started construction work of the Endocrinology Centre? Who initiated and almost completed the construction work of Dr. Ambedkar Hall for boys and Begum Sultan Jahan Hall for girls? Who started the restoration work of some of the heritage buildings like Victoria Gate wing of S.S Hall, Justice Mahmood’s bungalow (Pili Kothi) and PVC Lodge (It was renovated especially for the purpose of VIP guests and was attached to the Guest House, which has now been allotted to the “extraordinarily competent our illustrious Registrar” by the V.C., who enjoys a luxurious life there)? Who got completed the construction work of the building of Prof. K.A Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies? Who arranged for uninterrupted supply of electricity for the entire AMU campus and got constructed a separate Sub-station for the University? Who got almost all the University roads repaired and re-carpeted? Who ensured introduction of the UGC’s model curricula in almost all the courses? At whose initiative the Govt. of India approved the proposal for establishment of Urdu Academy in not only AMU but two other central universities? Can Dr. Azis deny that these initiatives were taken during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad?
7. Who raised the banner, though unsuccessfully, for the restoration of minority character of AMU? The reply is again obvious. During the tenure of Dr. Azis Saheb, the University Counsel absented himself on three consecutive hearing dates from Supreme Court without seeking adjournment and Dr. Azis Saheb has failed to take any action against the Counsel, why?
8. Who can deny that four University convocations were held during the tenure of Mr. Naseem Ahmad? Only one convocation could not be held due to the non availability of the VIP who had earlier given the consent to be the Chief Guest for the occasion?
9. Was he not Mr. Naseem Ahmad who raised a banner of successful revolt against the MHRD’s move for common entrance tests for various professional courses?
10. Did Mr. Naseem Ahmad control students’ discipline involving the Police or did he strengthen University’s own discipline system?
11. Lastly were there any allegations of corruption and financial bungling against Mr. Naseem Ahmad or against any of the other Vice Chancellor’s who preceded Dr. Abdul Azis? Let Dr. Azis Saheb himself reply.
The Real Darkest Periods of AMU:
1. One of the darkest periods in the history of Aligarh was when the AMU Act was repealed in 1965 by an Ordinance and Government wanted to drop the word ‘Muslim’ from AMU and nationalize it on the pattern of the Osmania University, Hyderabad i.e. the Minority Character was in danger .
2. Another darkest period of the University is now when, i) the Visitor of the University, for the first time in history, has ordered an enquiry against the present Vice Chancellor, Dr. Abdul Azis for his alleged involvement in financial corruptions and when, ii) the Residential Character of the University is put to danger in the name of the so called Special Centers.
My sincere advice to Dr. P.K Abdul Azis is that it is still time for him to do mid-course correction in his self centered and autocratic style of functioning. He should come out clean of the serious charges of corruption against him. He should try to learn the knack of taking people along with him and should stop throwing mud at others.
I am extremely constrained to write these comments and making it public.
Waqif Hain Mukhalif Bhi Mizajon Se Hamare – Humlog Dua Dete Hain Gali Nahin Dete
I hope Dr. P.K Abdul Azis Saheb is listening.
Regretfully,
Dr. Nafees Ahmad,
Professor of Ophthalmic Biochem, Rtd.
G-2, Dream Homes, S.S. Nagar, Aligarh
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
AMU Special Centres, Dr. Azis & Sir Shah Sulaiman
From: Nafees Ahmad
Date: Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Subject: AMU Special Centres, Dr. Azis & Sir Shah Sulaiman
To: alirizvi@aol.com
Mohtaram Ali Rizvi Saheb, ASAK,
I am sorry to reply to your mail a bit late as you raised several points which required some time. In a detailed telephonic conversation on the other day I think, after going through your mail, I could not make my points clear.
You said in this mail, “I just fail to understand how you (I) feel that the opening of the AMU Centres will adversely affect AMU”. I submit:
1. The University has expanded several fold compared to what it was fifty-sixty years ago but no major changes in its administrative system have been brought about so far, which has caused an overall deterioration both in academics and discipline. It will cause still more deterioration if it is expanded further without bringing necessary changes in its administrative system especially after creation of the said Special Centres. If the administration, at the helm of affairs, cannot handle the affairs at the mother university, how can it be expected to handle when more institutions are created thousands Km away. The V.C. would neither properly manage AMU nor the Centres. Standards of both are, therefore, bound to go down further. Though the Centres have not come into existence yet, the V.C. is not finding time for the University only because he is much more worried about the “Qaum” and busy in establishing these Centres. Files over files are piled up waiting for his action as I could gather from the offices. Condition of various Departments, Schools and Colleges is getting from bad to worse for delay in action.
2. The affection the Aligs have among themselves is a rare and unique quality, not found among those of other Institutions. Its main cause is the residential life they enjoy at Aligarh, an obvious outcome of the Residential Character of AMU. They eat together; they live together; they quarrel and compromise, all together. “Is Buzm Mein Taighain Khenchi Hain Is Buzm Mein Saghar Tore Hain – Is Buzm Mein Ankh Bichai Hai Is Buzm Mein Dil Tak Jore Hain”. I have witnessed so many Mahabharats followed by Bharat Milaps among AMU students in the past. The so called satellite campuses will develop their own culture that will be all together different from AMU. In Kerala you will find Keralite culture, eating Rasam, Idli and Sanber etc and in Bengal another culture. Yes, you may get a few good lawyers or management students (That too is not sure in the light of above mentioned administrative difficulties) but Aligarianism will surely become a “Qissa-e-Parina”.
3. You say, “Let us get the money, the land, help set up the campuses…., assist in their becoming centres of excellence”. No doubt this expresses your pious enthusiasm and very good sentiments. But may be good for a talk of idealism and for an effective sermon on Muslim educational uplift. But when it will come to giving practical shape for creating a Centre of Excellence one will find it too difficult, rather impossible to run the AMU and thousands mile away Centres together. You say, “Like you and many others, I do share the fear that the Governance of these Centres may be difficult, but not impossible”. In the light of the little administrative experience that I have, I reiterate that the governance of institutions situated so far away shall be rather impossible. In the words of Mr. S. Shahabuddin, “I personally see the impossibility of the AMU running Satellite Universities, even if, it becomes constitutionally & legally competent to do so. Given the record of the AMU, this will be an impossible task from a purely administrative and management point of view”.
4. You say, “Sir Syed did not visualize AMU as a physical campus at Aligarh itself. If his vision was to educate the Indian minorities and Muslims, then surely we are on the right path”. Sir Syed not only visualized but also he practically established the MAO College at Aligarh. He wished it to grow into a University of repute, to the status of and to be known as the Oxford and Cambridge of the east. This was his dream project, which he visualized only for Aligarh. Yes, Sir Syed, Syed Mahmood and his other colleagues also desired to propagate modern education all over India and, for the purpose, founded Muslim Educational Conference in order to establish such schools and colleges in the length and breath of the country, popularly known as Aligarh Movement. As a result, Shibli National College, Azamgarh, Gandhi Faiz-e-Aam College, Shahejahanpur and few other institutions came into existence due to this movement but under independent management. Nothing can be so contrary to the facts, rather absurd, than to say that they wanted to establish schools of modern education all over India under the management of MAO College or AMU and that this is the right path of Sir Syed. Sir Syed emphasized especially on Tarbiat of his students, for which he established the well known “English House” in order to train them in good manners, culture, etiquettes and English way of life. Slowly this responsibility was shifted to the wardens and the Seniors of the Halls of residence. I still remember that at the time of my “Introduction”, when I joined AMU as a student, one of the Seniors asked me, “Have you seen Bab-e-Ilm (a small door in between SM North and its Dinning Hall opening towards the Union Hall, that time it was between the Depts. of Persian and Law )”; I responded with Yes. He said; Sir Syed constructed Victoria Gate, Bab-e-Ishaq, Babe-Rahmat, Lawrence Gate and Zahoor Gate (all in S.S. Hall), all of these being much bigger in size than Bab-e-Ilm (Gate of knowledge); What message it gives? Then he himself replied, in a big laughter; that means you read less (the bookish knowledge) and learn more (I was known as mugging the books most of the time). It was, therefore, Tarbiat of students that, to Sir Syed, was most important.
5. You say, “If people feel that the AMU Act does not have the provision for creation of these centres in far flung areas, let us then involve and get the Act amended”.Yes, the Act needs so many amendments but, I am sorry, any amendment for the sake of these centres, which amounts to abolishing our Residential Character shall not at all be acceptable and we (the Aligarh fraternity as a whole) shall be the first to oppose this move tooth and nail. Till we are alive we shall not let the Residential Character destroyed and the University go down under in the name of the so called Mallappuram and Murshidabsad Centres for a few crores of Rupees. This is an ill conceived programme and one of the great mistakes of Dr. Azis from the very beginning. Now he is adamant to get it through by hook or by crook.
6. You say, “In our desire to discredit a person or a group, we are trying to kill such a great initiative”. Our intentions may not kindly be doubted. Opposition of the Centres is not for the sake of discrediting any individual. We are opposing the Centres with full sincerity and conviction. As far as discrediting Dr. Azis is concerned, he himself is responsible for that. The charges of financial bungling both at CUSAT, Kochi and AMU have reportedly been proved. Still he has not decided to mend his ways and probably he shall not. Can any body tell me why he has engaged CPWD for the University constructions involving crores of Rupees when there is a full fledged in house Building Department for the purpose. Is it because they reportedly pay “commission” very quietly and are known to have institutionalized it? Only God knows. He engaged CPWD in Kochi also. The same experiment he is successfully repeating in Aligarh. ‘Honesty should not only be practiced but also it should appear to have been practiced’. Every body knows but can do nothing. Tuk Tuk Deedum- Dum na Kashidum”. A Maulana, while explaining the ‘Shirk’ in a lecture said; if you add a drop of urine to a bucket full of milk, it will make the whole milk impure. Barring Murarji Desai as it might be an Amrit for him, it is Haram for Muslims. Likewise, we the Aligarh fraternity, cannot tolerate for a second to find the Head of this great seat of learning involved in corruption. Had he been noble, he would have quit this august office on his own after the above reports. What face has he, now, to talk about Muslim educational uplift or Special Centres, again where crores of Rupees are involved. How such a person can be relied upon?
This reminds me of Sir Shah Sulaiman. He was Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court and then moved to Federal Court (the Supreme Court) as also the Vice-Chancellor of AMU. He came on the week ends to Aligarh and worked for two days (Saturday and Sunday). Usually he used to come directly to the VC office from the Railway station. V.C. office was housed in a room, adjacent to Victoria Gate on the west wing of the upper floor. He himself used to put on lights of his office and worked for the whole day till late in night. Thereafter, some times he went to the Phoos Ka Bangla (The V.C. Lodge, which was a thatched cottage that time and was known as Phoos Ka Bangla) in the night but most often he used to sleep on the roof of S.S. Hall (west) itself in front of his office. He took his food from the S.S. Hall Dining Hall (Lunch and dinner both). The bearer of Sir Shah Sulaiman, who made his bed on the roof and served food to him, narrated this story to me whom I happened to see as he was alive when I was a student. When leaving for Allahabad or Delhi on the night of Sundays he religiously put off the lights. Dr. Azis Saheb must not feel happy that he is following the footsteps of Sir Shah Sulaiman as he took his food from the S.S. Hall Dining Hall and Dr. Azis is eating from the University Guest House because at the end of every month Sir Sulaiman paid for his food to S.S. Hall and electricity charges of his office. He worked honorary and did not charge salary from the University.
Bhai Ali Rizvi Saheb, now tell me where our Hon'ble V.C. finds himself fit in the galaxy of the Vice Chancellors like Sir Ross Masood, Sir Ziauddin, Sir Shah Sulaiman, Dr. Zakir Husain, Col. B.H. Zaidi, Mr. Tayyabji, Prof. Khusroo, Mr. S. Hamid, Mr. Hamid Ansari and lately Mr. Naseem Ahmad etc. What is his level? He has discredited himself by his own deeds. No body is responsible for that. Has he courage to compare his way of living like Nawabs with wasteful expenditures at the cost of the University with that of the most simple life of Sir Shah Sulaiman. Though there was the title 'Shah' in his name but he lived like a Gada. Sir Sulaiman and others are, and shall ever be known for their sacrifices they made for this great seat of learning and Dr. Azis shall be known for …..?
Wassalam, regards,
Nafees Ahmad,
Ph.D. (1968),
Professor of Ophthalmic Biochem. Rtd,
G-2, Dream Homes, S.S. Nagar, Aligarh.
Ph: 9319096230
Date: Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Subject: AMU Special Centres, Dr. Azis & Sir Shah Sulaiman
To: alirizvi@aol.com
Mohtaram Ali Rizvi Saheb, ASAK,
I am sorry to reply to your mail a bit late as you raised several points which required some time. In a detailed telephonic conversation on the other day I think, after going through your mail, I could not make my points clear.
You said in this mail, “I just fail to understand how you (I) feel that the opening of the AMU Centres will adversely affect AMU”. I submit:
1. The University has expanded several fold compared to what it was fifty-sixty years ago but no major changes in its administrative system have been brought about so far, which has caused an overall deterioration both in academics and discipline. It will cause still more deterioration if it is expanded further without bringing necessary changes in its administrative system especially after creation of the said Special Centres. If the administration, at the helm of affairs, cannot handle the affairs at the mother university, how can it be expected to handle when more institutions are created thousands Km away. The V.C. would neither properly manage AMU nor the Centres. Standards of both are, therefore, bound to go down further. Though the Centres have not come into existence yet, the V.C. is not finding time for the University only because he is much more worried about the “Qaum” and busy in establishing these Centres. Files over files are piled up waiting for his action as I could gather from the offices. Condition of various Departments, Schools and Colleges is getting from bad to worse for delay in action.
2. The affection the Aligs have among themselves is a rare and unique quality, not found among those of other Institutions. Its main cause is the residential life they enjoy at Aligarh, an obvious outcome of the Residential Character of AMU. They eat together; they live together; they quarrel and compromise, all together. “Is Buzm Mein Taighain Khenchi Hain Is Buzm Mein Saghar Tore Hain – Is Buzm Mein Ankh Bichai Hai Is Buzm Mein Dil Tak Jore Hain”. I have witnessed so many Mahabharats followed by Bharat Milaps among AMU students in the past. The so called satellite campuses will develop their own culture that will be all together different from AMU. In Kerala you will find Keralite culture, eating Rasam, Idli and Sanber etc and in Bengal another culture. Yes, you may get a few good lawyers or management students (That too is not sure in the light of above mentioned administrative difficulties) but Aligarianism will surely become a “Qissa-e-Parina”.
3. You say, “Let us get the money, the land, help set up the campuses…., assist in their becoming centres of excellence”. No doubt this expresses your pious enthusiasm and very good sentiments. But may be good for a talk of idealism and for an effective sermon on Muslim educational uplift. But when it will come to giving practical shape for creating a Centre of Excellence one will find it too difficult, rather impossible to run the AMU and thousands mile away Centres together. You say, “Like you and many others, I do share the fear that the Governance of these Centres may be difficult, but not impossible”. In the light of the little administrative experience that I have, I reiterate that the governance of institutions situated so far away shall be rather impossible. In the words of Mr. S. Shahabuddin, “I personally see the impossibility of the AMU running Satellite Universities, even if, it becomes constitutionally & legally competent to do so. Given the record of the AMU, this will be an impossible task from a purely administrative and management point of view”.
4. You say, “Sir Syed did not visualize AMU as a physical campus at Aligarh itself. If his vision was to educate the Indian minorities and Muslims, then surely we are on the right path”. Sir Syed not only visualized but also he practically established the MAO College at Aligarh. He wished it to grow into a University of repute, to the status of and to be known as the Oxford and Cambridge of the east. This was his dream project, which he visualized only for Aligarh. Yes, Sir Syed, Syed Mahmood and his other colleagues also desired to propagate modern education all over India and, for the purpose, founded Muslim Educational Conference in order to establish such schools and colleges in the length and breath of the country, popularly known as Aligarh Movement. As a result, Shibli National College, Azamgarh, Gandhi Faiz-e-Aam College, Shahejahanpur and few other institutions came into existence due to this movement but under independent management. Nothing can be so contrary to the facts, rather absurd, than to say that they wanted to establish schools of modern education all over India under the management of MAO College or AMU and that this is the right path of Sir Syed. Sir Syed emphasized especially on Tarbiat of his students, for which he established the well known “English House” in order to train them in good manners, culture, etiquettes and English way of life. Slowly this responsibility was shifted to the wardens and the Seniors of the Halls of residence. I still remember that at the time of my “Introduction”, when I joined AMU as a student, one of the Seniors asked me, “Have you seen Bab-e-Ilm (a small door in between SM North and its Dinning Hall opening towards the Union Hall, that time it was between the Depts. of Persian and Law )”; I responded with Yes. He said; Sir Syed constructed Victoria Gate, Bab-e-Ishaq, Babe-Rahmat, Lawrence Gate and Zahoor Gate (all in S.S. Hall), all of these being much bigger in size than Bab-e-Ilm (Gate of knowledge); What message it gives? Then he himself replied, in a big laughter; that means you read less (the bookish knowledge) and learn more (I was known as mugging the books most of the time). It was, therefore, Tarbiat of students that, to Sir Syed, was most important.
5. You say, “If people feel that the AMU Act does not have the provision for creation of these centres in far flung areas, let us then involve and get the Act amended”.Yes, the Act needs so many amendments but, I am sorry, any amendment for the sake of these centres, which amounts to abolishing our Residential Character shall not at all be acceptable and we (the Aligarh fraternity as a whole) shall be the first to oppose this move tooth and nail. Till we are alive we shall not let the Residential Character destroyed and the University go down under in the name of the so called Mallappuram and Murshidabsad Centres for a few crores of Rupees. This is an ill conceived programme and one of the great mistakes of Dr. Azis from the very beginning. Now he is adamant to get it through by hook or by crook.
6. You say, “In our desire to discredit a person or a group, we are trying to kill such a great initiative”. Our intentions may not kindly be doubted. Opposition of the Centres is not for the sake of discrediting any individual. We are opposing the Centres with full sincerity and conviction. As far as discrediting Dr. Azis is concerned, he himself is responsible for that. The charges of financial bungling both at CUSAT, Kochi and AMU have reportedly been proved. Still he has not decided to mend his ways and probably he shall not. Can any body tell me why he has engaged CPWD for the University constructions involving crores of Rupees when there is a full fledged in house Building Department for the purpose. Is it because they reportedly pay “commission” very quietly and are known to have institutionalized it? Only God knows. He engaged CPWD in Kochi also. The same experiment he is successfully repeating in Aligarh. ‘Honesty should not only be practiced but also it should appear to have been practiced’. Every body knows but can do nothing. Tuk Tuk Deedum- Dum na Kashidum”. A Maulana, while explaining the ‘Shirk’ in a lecture said; if you add a drop of urine to a bucket full of milk, it will make the whole milk impure. Barring Murarji Desai as it might be an Amrit for him, it is Haram for Muslims. Likewise, we the Aligarh fraternity, cannot tolerate for a second to find the Head of this great seat of learning involved in corruption. Had he been noble, he would have quit this august office on his own after the above reports. What face has he, now, to talk about Muslim educational uplift or Special Centres, again where crores of Rupees are involved. How such a person can be relied upon?
This reminds me of Sir Shah Sulaiman. He was Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court and then moved to Federal Court (the Supreme Court) as also the Vice-Chancellor of AMU. He came on the week ends to Aligarh and worked for two days (Saturday and Sunday). Usually he used to come directly to the VC office from the Railway station. V.C. office was housed in a room, adjacent to Victoria Gate on the west wing of the upper floor. He himself used to put on lights of his office and worked for the whole day till late in night. Thereafter, some times he went to the Phoos Ka Bangla (The V.C. Lodge, which was a thatched cottage that time and was known as Phoos Ka Bangla) in the night but most often he used to sleep on the roof of S.S. Hall (west) itself in front of his office. He took his food from the S.S. Hall Dining Hall (Lunch and dinner both). The bearer of Sir Shah Sulaiman, who made his bed on the roof and served food to him, narrated this story to me whom I happened to see as he was alive when I was a student. When leaving for Allahabad or Delhi on the night of Sundays he religiously put off the lights. Dr. Azis Saheb must not feel happy that he is following the footsteps of Sir Shah Sulaiman as he took his food from the S.S. Hall Dining Hall and Dr. Azis is eating from the University Guest House because at the end of every month Sir Sulaiman paid for his food to S.S. Hall and electricity charges of his office. He worked honorary and did not charge salary from the University.
Bhai Ali Rizvi Saheb, now tell me where our Hon'ble V.C. finds himself fit in the galaxy of the Vice Chancellors like Sir Ross Masood, Sir Ziauddin, Sir Shah Sulaiman, Dr. Zakir Husain, Col. B.H. Zaidi, Mr. Tayyabji, Prof. Khusroo, Mr. S. Hamid, Mr. Hamid Ansari and lately Mr. Naseem Ahmad etc. What is his level? He has discredited himself by his own deeds. No body is responsible for that. Has he courage to compare his way of living like Nawabs with wasteful expenditures at the cost of the University with that of the most simple life of Sir Shah Sulaiman. Though there was the title 'Shah' in his name but he lived like a Gada. Sir Sulaiman and others are, and shall ever be known for their sacrifices they made for this great seat of learning and Dr. Azis shall be known for …..?
Wassalam, regards,
Nafees Ahmad,
Ph.D. (1968),
Professor of Ophthalmic Biochem. Rtd,
G-2, Dream Homes, S.S. Nagar, Aligarh.
Ph: 9319096230
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Ploy Against AMU
I must be thankful to "AMUNetwork", for having aired my submissions regarding AMU Special Centres in Murshidabad and Malapuram. I am also thankful to all of my friends, AMU Alumni and some very senior and respectable personalities who have responded to my mail very positively.
It is time I must inform you all that I sent the above referred mail to the V.C., Dr. P.K. Abdul Azis and Dr. Rahat Abrar in the very beginning in order to listen to their comments before making it public but I am sorry that none of them could get time to respond.
In this mail I would like to draw your kind attention towards another important issue. I suppose all of you know that there was a project of three independent universities for the Muslim minority respectively in Bangalore, Kishanganj and Ajmer planned by Mr. Antulay with the help of a high powered committee appointed by Maulana Azad Foundation, Govt. of India. These Universities may be brought into existence as practicable and modern streamlined projects. As far I know, this project has been submitted to the Prime Minister long back and has his prima facie approval. This shall be better alternative to the so called AMU Special Centres. These universities will obviously be under independent administration without hampering AMU's administration, residential character and without involving any legal issues either. Coming up of these Universities shall have far reaching consequences and shall indeed change the scenario in the times to come Insh'Allah but the Govt. is sleeping on this important issue.
I have two humble submissions, A) one to our Hon'ble V.C. and the other B) to our fellow AMU Alumni.
A) I shall very humbly request our V.C. kindly to concentrate on and find time for the University's betterment if he is really sincere to the University for which has he been appointed, drawing handsome salary and utilizing all kinds of facilities. Few months before a patient of head injury died in Medical College, whom I knew, because of non-availability of a ventilator. When enquired I was told that only four out of eight instruments available in the entire Medical college were in working order and all of those were in use. I do not know how many such patients are dying in our Medical College for the lack of facilities. One day I wanted to visit old periodicals section in the Azad Library, which is situated on the fourth floor. The lift was not working. I was told that it could not be repaired for the last several years for want of funds. A number of Departments in the University, Hostels, Schools and various Colleges etc. are deprived of basic requirements. You will find thousands of such deficiencies in the University for which our V.C. has no funds and has no time either. Yes he has crores of Rupees for the repair of V.C.'s lodge (facilities like Nawabs and kings), his T.A. bills, calling unnecessary conventions in Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow etc and spending lacs from the Univ. funds only for the sake of publicity, unnecessary huge construction of boundary walls with the steel bar tops (These may be required for the outer boundaries of the University, but not at all inside the University campus), fixing CCTV cameras even in the girls' college and hostels (AMU is probably the only University having such arrangements on which the staff in the Control-room is sitting and watching the girls) etc. This must be an eye opener to all of us as to what are the priorities before our academician V.C. Of course one must be feeling satisfaction that there are at least no discipline problems in the University at the moment. But, having a little experience in this field, I can say with confidence that it is superficial & temporary phase. Having peace with dissolution of the Students' Union and with suppressing, rather crushing the voice of dissent is no achievement. Moreover relying on Police and CCTV cameras for controlling discipline in an academic institution especially in AMU is a mistake, rather blunder. Surely it is not a healthy sign. I feel proud that there is a well defined comprehensive internal system for that in AMU but alas! The VC has failed to strengthen it. It is growing weaker and weaker. He probably doesn't even understand. Our own system must be revived and strengthened. Instead, he is relying only on police. I shall, therefore, request the V.C. again that he give more time to the Univ. than running after the politicians beseechingly, calling conventions and wasting his precious time and Univ. funds which he could have used for the University's betterment. I also know that this request will go unheeded by the VC for the following reasons:
I am posing certain questions to explain:
1. Why Mr. Parnab Mukharji-Dr. Azis duo does not come forward to get the scheme of the above universities implemented? Is it because no University has been recommended for Murshidabad and Mr. Pranabji would not get electoral benefit out of it? Mr. Mulayam Singh won the elections on "Urdu Teachers" and Parnabji on "AMU Centres" as there are a lot of Muslim voters in his constituency.
2. Why Dr. Azis is in so hurry to implement this scheme from July, even without any infrastructure, whatsoever, for the courses he wants to start. Parnabji and UPA Govt., frightened of Mamtaji (She has swept the recent polls with full support of Muslims), has to win this and other seats for Congress in the forthcoming Assembly elections with Muslim support? This Centre has therefore to be started as quickly as possible and our V.C. is faithfully implementing this scheme. Is it because he has to appease Parnabji and UPA Govt to have their sympathy in the enquiry going on against him?
3. Why has Murshidabad got Rupees twenty five crores whereas Malapuram only ten crores? It is understood that the Ministry of HRD was not convinced with both of the projects because of the legalities involved yet it sanctioned twenty five crore for Murshidabad under the pressure of Mr. Parnabji but for Malapuram there was no such pressure. Though not in agreement yet the Ministry of HRD sanctioned Rupees ten crore to Malapuram also in order to balance, to some extent, the decision taken for Murshidabad project.
4. Dr. Azis has chosen Murshidabad, may be because Muslims there are educationally backward, but why has he chosen Malapuram where Muslims are most educated (having 100% literacy), economically very well off and who are already running a number of colleges of Management, Law, Engineering and Medicine etc. Muslim Education Society of Kerala alone is running more than two hundred and fifty such schools and colleges. The V.C. could have proposed this Centre in an educationally backward Muslim area. Is it because Dr. Azis has to appease the Kerala Govt. to have its favour in the enquiry report pending against him for action to be taken by Kerala Govt?
It must therefore be clear in our minds that the interest of these persons in the Special Centres is other than that of Muslim education. Dr. Azis is misusing the august position of the VC for his personal ends and Parnabji for his objectives. It is sad and highly deplorable that the entire game in the name of Muslim education is being played at the cost of the University interest. How simple community we the Muslims are? How long shall they continue this game? We the AMU Alumni are an educated lot. We should, with open and cool mind, sit together and decide the future course of action to stop this menace. No body should be allowed to play with our University. I may be wrong in my analysis. I am writing this with open mind.
B) In the light of the above it is obvious that both Mr. Pranabji and our V.C. shall be least interested in the above said Universities. It is we who have to raise a strong voice in this regard. I have a humble submission therefore to all fellow Alumni that while opposing the said controversial AMU Centres we must raise a forceful, unanimous voice and put our foot down to I) establish immediately the proposed Muslim Minority Universities and II) declare AMU a Minority institution with necessary amendments in the Act to be governed under Article 30 of the Constitution of India..
I had earlier decided not to write against our V.C. in future anymore. But I am not at all sorry to write these words again for I am extremely pained and every Alumnas and well wisher of the University must be pained to see the ploy, our University is being trapped in, not by Sangh Parivar but by the Chief Executive Officer of this great seat of learning himsrelf and that too in the name of Muslim education. Some body has rightly written in an email posting "Is Ghar Ko Aag Lag Gai Ghar Ke Charagh Se".
Aein-e-Jawan Mardan Haq Goi-o-Bebaki
Allah Ke Sheron Ko Aati Nahein Roobahi
I remotely deserve for this verse of Iqbal but I wish that it must refer to each and every AMU Alumnus if he finds the interest of his/her Alma Mater at stake.
Nafees Ahmad,
Ph.D. 1968,
Professor of Ophthalmic Biochemistry, Rtd.
Formerly: Proctor, Aligarh Muslim University
Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)
Member, The Markazi Majlis-e-mushawarat
Address:
G-2, Dream Homes, S.S. Nagar, Aligarh.
Ph: 09319096230, 09868482176, Fax: 0571-2700687
It is time I must inform you all that I sent the above referred mail to the V.C., Dr. P.K. Abdul Azis and Dr. Rahat Abrar in the very beginning in order to listen to their comments before making it public but I am sorry that none of them could get time to respond.
In this mail I would like to draw your kind attention towards another important issue. I suppose all of you know that there was a project of three independent universities for the Muslim minority respectively in Bangalore, Kishanganj and Ajmer planned by Mr. Antulay with the help of a high powered committee appointed by Maulana Azad Foundation, Govt. of India. These Universities may be brought into existence as practicable and modern streamlined projects. As far I know, this project has been submitted to the Prime Minister long back and has his prima facie approval. This shall be better alternative to the so called AMU Special Centres. These universities will obviously be under independent administration without hampering AMU's administration, residential character and without involving any legal issues either. Coming up of these Universities shall have far reaching consequences and shall indeed change the scenario in the times to come Insh'Allah but the Govt. is sleeping on this important issue.
I have two humble submissions, A) one to our Hon'ble V.C. and the other B) to our fellow AMU Alumni.
A) I shall very humbly request our V.C. kindly to concentrate on and find time for the University's betterment if he is really sincere to the University for which has he been appointed, drawing handsome salary and utilizing all kinds of facilities. Few months before a patient of head injury died in Medical College, whom I knew, because of non-availability of a ventilator. When enquired I was told that only four out of eight instruments available in the entire Medical college were in working order and all of those were in use. I do not know how many such patients are dying in our Medical College for the lack of facilities. One day I wanted to visit old periodicals section in the Azad Library, which is situated on the fourth floor. The lift was not working. I was told that it could not be repaired for the last several years for want of funds. A number of Departments in the University, Hostels, Schools and various Colleges etc. are deprived of basic requirements. You will find thousands of such deficiencies in the University for which our V.C. has no funds and has no time either. Yes he has crores of Rupees for the repair of V.C.'s lodge (facilities like Nawabs and kings), his T.A. bills, calling unnecessary conventions in Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow etc and spending lacs from the Univ. funds only for the sake of publicity, unnecessary huge construction of boundary walls with the steel bar tops (These may be required for the outer boundaries of the University, but not at all inside the University campus), fixing CCTV cameras even in the girls' college and hostels (AMU is probably the only University having such arrangements on which the staff in the Control-room is sitting and watching the girls) etc. This must be an eye opener to all of us as to what are the priorities before our academician V.C. Of course one must be feeling satisfaction that there are at least no discipline problems in the University at the moment. But, having a little experience in this field, I can say with confidence that it is superficial & temporary phase. Having peace with dissolution of the Students' Union and with suppressing, rather crushing the voice of dissent is no achievement. Moreover relying on Police and CCTV cameras for controlling discipline in an academic institution especially in AMU is a mistake, rather blunder. Surely it is not a healthy sign. I feel proud that there is a well defined comprehensive internal system for that in AMU but alas! The VC has failed to strengthen it. It is growing weaker and weaker. He probably doesn't even understand. Our own system must be revived and strengthened. Instead, he is relying only on police. I shall, therefore, request the V.C. again that he give more time to the Univ. than running after the politicians beseechingly, calling conventions and wasting his precious time and Univ. funds which he could have used for the University's betterment. I also know that this request will go unheeded by the VC for the following reasons:
I am posing certain questions to explain:
1. Why Mr. Parnab Mukharji-Dr. Azis duo does not come forward to get the scheme of the above universities implemented? Is it because no University has been recommended for Murshidabad and Mr. Pranabji would not get electoral benefit out of it? Mr. Mulayam Singh won the elections on "Urdu Teachers" and Parnabji on "AMU Centres" as there are a lot of Muslim voters in his constituency.
2. Why Dr. Azis is in so hurry to implement this scheme from July, even without any infrastructure, whatsoever, for the courses he wants to start. Parnabji and UPA Govt., frightened of Mamtaji (She has swept the recent polls with full support of Muslims), has to win this and other seats for Congress in the forthcoming Assembly elections with Muslim support? This Centre has therefore to be started as quickly as possible and our V.C. is faithfully implementing this scheme. Is it because he has to appease Parnabji and UPA Govt to have their sympathy in the enquiry going on against him?
3. Why has Murshidabad got Rupees twenty five crores whereas Malapuram only ten crores? It is understood that the Ministry of HRD was not convinced with both of the projects because of the legalities involved yet it sanctioned twenty five crore for Murshidabad under the pressure of Mr. Parnabji but for Malapuram there was no such pressure. Though not in agreement yet the Ministry of HRD sanctioned Rupees ten crore to Malapuram also in order to balance, to some extent, the decision taken for Murshidabad project.
4. Dr. Azis has chosen Murshidabad, may be because Muslims there are educationally backward, but why has he chosen Malapuram where Muslims are most educated (having 100% literacy), economically very well off and who are already running a number of colleges of Management, Law, Engineering and Medicine etc. Muslim Education Society of Kerala alone is running more than two hundred and fifty such schools and colleges. The V.C. could have proposed this Centre in an educationally backward Muslim area. Is it because Dr. Azis has to appease the Kerala Govt. to have its favour in the enquiry report pending against him for action to be taken by Kerala Govt?
It must therefore be clear in our minds that the interest of these persons in the Special Centres is other than that of Muslim education. Dr. Azis is misusing the august position of the VC for his personal ends and Parnabji for his objectives. It is sad and highly deplorable that the entire game in the name of Muslim education is being played at the cost of the University interest. How simple community we the Muslims are? How long shall they continue this game? We the AMU Alumni are an educated lot. We should, with open and cool mind, sit together and decide the future course of action to stop this menace. No body should be allowed to play with our University. I may be wrong in my analysis. I am writing this with open mind.
B) In the light of the above it is obvious that both Mr. Pranabji and our V.C. shall be least interested in the above said Universities. It is we who have to raise a strong voice in this regard. I have a humble submission therefore to all fellow Alumni that while opposing the said controversial AMU Centres we must raise a forceful, unanimous voice and put our foot down to I) establish immediately the proposed Muslim Minority Universities and II) declare AMU a Minority institution with necessary amendments in the Act to be governed under Article 30 of the Constitution of India..
I had earlier decided not to write against our V.C. in future anymore. But I am not at all sorry to write these words again for I am extremely pained and every Alumnas and well wisher of the University must be pained to see the ploy, our University is being trapped in, not by Sangh Parivar but by the Chief Executive Officer of this great seat of learning himsrelf and that too in the name of Muslim education. Some body has rightly written in an email posting "Is Ghar Ko Aag Lag Gai Ghar Ke Charagh Se".
Aein-e-Jawan Mardan Haq Goi-o-Bebaki
Allah Ke Sheron Ko Aati Nahein Roobahi
I remotely deserve for this verse of Iqbal but I wish that it must refer to each and every AMU Alumnus if he finds the interest of his/her Alma Mater at stake.
Nafees Ahmad,
Ph.D. 1968,
Professor of Ophthalmic Biochemistry, Rtd.
Formerly: Proctor, Aligarh Muslim University
Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)
Member, The Markazi Majlis-e-mushawarat
Address:
G-2, Dream Homes, S.S. Nagar, Aligarh.
Ph: 09319096230, 09868482176, Fax: 0571-2700687
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
AMU Targets Student for Freedom of Speech & Expression
From: Adil Hossain
Subject: [AMUNetwork] AMU: No Dissent, Vengeance on students & LIU mystery
To: AMUNetwork@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, 9 June, 2010, 7:22 AM
The present AMU administration has shown a despicable record in terms of respecting the freedom of speech and expression of the AMU students who as Indian Citizens must enjoy their right under article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution. In the recent Press Release the AMU authorities are only shedding crocodile tears about their care for girls students of I.G and Abdullah Hall as if they never did anything to expose the AMU girls towards “outside vulnerability”. In a RTI reply vide D.No.972/IGH dated 22.05.2010 (http://www.scribd. com/doc/32729541 /Ig-Provost- Rti-Reply) Provost, I.G.Hall reply to query no.4 as “Only one student of M.A(English) Ms. Samina Parveen was transferred by the order of the Vice-Chancellor from Halls of Residence to NRSC since she indulged in an argument with the Vice-Chancellor”. So our dear AMU administration very happily exposed a girl to outside “vulnerability” in 24 hours by transferring her to NRSC (simply throwing out of hostel) as she committed a grievous crime in a democratic country like India that she argued with the Vice-Chancellor.
In the recent times, another Mass Communication student Mr.Afaq Ahmad, who brought unimaginable development in the Dining Hall functioning at AMU and suspended since April 22, 2010 for shooting a documentary inside the Hall premises on his experience with the Dining Hall system at V.M.Hall was also denied of his fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. I filed an RTI to the CAPIO of AMU which was received with vide Ref No. 98/CAPIO/F/10- 11 dated 28/04/2010 about the grounds for arbitrary suspension of Mr.Afaq Ahmad, M.Phil, Mass Comm by Vice-Chancellor, AMU. In reply to my question where I asked whether a student need permission from Provost or not to shoot a video inside a Hall, Provost, B.R.Ambedkar Hall in the RTI reply vide D.No 93/BRH dated 29.05.2010 accepted (which is applicable to all Halls of Residences also), “ As per record there is no Rule/Ordinances/ Regulation explicitly prohibiting making of video clip of Hall without the permission of the Provost.”
In the most blunt confession about snatching the fundamental right of students of freedom of speech and expression, the Proctor Office in reply to same RTI vide D.No 139/Proc dated 01.06.2010 accepted that peaceful democratic protest like signature campaign is seen as pressure tactic by the University authorities and thereby it is a punishable offence considered by them. Please see the reply to the Question no.4 in the RTI reply by Proctor Office. The Proctor Office in the same RTI in reply to Question No.5 also accepted that pasting of news paper cuttings/posters on the walls of the Hall and other premises of the university would also be dealt harshly with the students( they may face severe punishment). Now there is no specific board arranged by the university authorities in the whole university where student can paste their posters or any other items, the earlier one present at the entrance of Moulana Azad Library was also removed so that student cant convey any message through this medium. So it is a usual practices in this Vice-Chancellor’s regime that student paste their materials near the place Office Notifications get pasted (as if they don’t disfigure the walls). So systematically this AMU administration has also robbed off the students their fundamental right of freedom of expression by making it punishable to paste any poster/pamphlets in the whole university. See the Afaq Bhai RTI and the Reply by CPIO, Proctors Office and CPIO, BR Ambedkar Hall here- http://www.scribd. com/doc/32732927 /AFAQ-Bhai- RTI-Mockery- of-Justice.
Now the question is, in a situation where we do not agree to a decision made by the AMU authorities what are the options available to us to register our dissent? If we participate in signature campaign leave alone any rally or procession we would be punished for no reason. If we paste any poster/ news papers cutting we would be punished for no reason. Where is the place for dissent then? Should we become suicide bomber to register our protest? This AMU has no difference with Hitlers Nazi Regime where dissent was not tolerated at any cost.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT, DREADED OFFICIAL SPY AGENCY OF AMU
The first story of Local Intelligence Unit was published in the March 8 edition of Outlook with the headline “Class Monitors” on the basis of a RTI reply (http://www.scribd. com/doc/32733386 /Proctor- Office-Accepts- LIU-Exist) procured by a RTI Activist Mr.Mohd. Chaman, a 4th grade AMU employee and Former AMU Court Member(http://www.outlooki ndia.com/ article.aspx? 264463). In this article Vice-Chancellor AMU defended its presence at the campus by stating that, “It helps maintain campus peace and security. There’s nothing secretive about the LIU and it is not policing.” After Dr.Siras controversy rocked the AMU administration and LIU’s involvement in the sting operation was exposed, this dreaded Local Intelligence Unit was covered in the articles published in India Today, Frontline and all national media. Till then LIU was known to be teemed with salaried employees but Proctor, AMU went on record in the Indian Express news published in the first page on April 11, 2010 “Shadow of AMU’s spy wing in Siras Sting” stating that students are also employed by the Proctor Office as spy in the campus. Proctor Md Zubair Khan confirmed: “There is such a proctorial team on the university. You can call it a local intelligence unit where students give information about campus activities and unwanted elements. http://www.indianex press.com/ news/shadow- of-amus-spy- wing-on-siras- sting/604027/. But after a huge public outcry over the presence of a spy agency first time in any educational institution in India the entire AMU administration started denying its presence including the Vice-Chancellor and started calling it mere “watch and ward” team but LIU remained active in the campus and performed their spy activities. Then came the news on LIU “Is there a spy wing in Aligarh Muslim University” (http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/india/ Is-there- a-spy-wing- in-Aligarh- Muslim-Universit y/articleshow/ 5885083.cms) that was published by most of the news agency which alleged that LIU was involved in suspending Mr.Afaq Ahmad, M.Phil, Dept. of Mass Communication, A.M.U. In continuation to Mr.Afaq’s story, after his suspension Indian Express published news called “Now, AMU suspends student for ‘threatening’ V-C” where they stated that though Proctor denied the presence of LIU and called it “Watch and Ward” yet the suspension order of Mr. Afaq Ahmad mentioned it(http://www.indianex press.com/ news/now- amu-suspends- student-for- threatening- vc/610761/ 0).
I had always been a strong critic of such a spy agency maintained by Proctor Office,AMU where students and people are employed for the purpose for keeping an eye on students and teachers of the university as it should not exist in any democratic institution. Secondly in the RTI, where Proctor Office accepted LIU exist in AMU and that they spend 1.2 lack/month in paying the salaries to LIU people, the CPIO/Budget of AMU in the letter vide D.No.990/FO dated 30.10.09 stated AMU doesn’t have any fund meant for LIU or anything. So the question arrives who pays for the 14 lack/annum spend on this spy agency? Is it the Miscellaneous fund of the students or any other fund meant for development?
To know the history and involvement of students in Local Intelligence Unit, I filed an RTI received at Proctor Office vide R.No 191/Proc dated 17.04.2010 asking 7 points in detail. When already in an RTI reply vide D.No 91/Proc dated 17.11.2009 Proctor Office not only accepted Local Intelligence Unit exist at Aligarh Muslim University but also provided the name of those persons employed as LIU, their salaries etc to my utter surprise the Proctors Office informed me in reply to my RTI application vide D.No 130/Proc dated 12.05.2010 (http://www.scribd. com/doc/32734673 /Proctor- Office-Denies- LIU-Exists- RTI-Reply that, “there is no LIU Unit at the Proctors Office”.
In the meantime, I received in reply to the RTI application regarding Afaq Bhai’s case the copy of “Confidential” letter sent by the Provost, V.M.Hall vide D.No 29/VMH dated 6th April, 2010 to the Vice-Chancellor where he mentioned that “some resident members of VM Hall, belonging to a particular ideology”( it speaks a volume how AMU administration works for the dissenters) especially Mr. Afaq Ahmad, M.Phil Mass Communication “ have really created a lot of mess” and “it may be confirmed from the LIU report” clearly mentioned on the 2nd page of the same letter. The letter itself states how in a democratic institution like AMU students are handpicked and butchered.
So now the question is, if LIU don’t exist as per the latest RTI reply by the Proctors Office, AMU, then why
Provost, VM Hall of AMU mentioned about the “LIU Report” to the Vice-Chancellor so that he may rely on what he is stating?
Prof.Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus, Dept of History in the Telelka Hindi(UP edition) of 30th April, 2010 stated that the culture of employing spies exist here since 1981? We can’t deny his authority on AMU administration. So if AMU Proctors Office in 7 months vanish the LIU in two contradicting RTI replies then for the last 30 years who paid the salaries of these LIU people? Is it students who were made to pay through different funds for this LIU?
My suspension and campus ban has come at a time when I was very close in my first stint as Investigative Journalist to reveal the cloudy and mysterious history of employing and funding spooks at the Aligarh Muslim University which is sponsored by many influential administrators of my alma mater. I had already filed the First Appeal to the Appellate Authority on 31.05.2010 as I found the answer from the CPIO, Proctor Office “misleading and incomplete” and next I would have proceeded against the Central Information Commission, New Delhi which will for sure appoint a committee to get all the information about such mysterious undemocratic agencies.
The reason for my suspension as writing on yahoogroups or blocking an empty road at dead night at AMU is just an eyewash. As I said earlier, not only my anti-administration stand on Dr.Siras issue, CCTV and above all LIU but also with all these RTI exercises which exposed the moral bankruptcy of the AMU administrators and their desperate and undemocratic attitude to crush any student’s voice of dissent has led to my suspension and such unseen campus ban. But truth shall prevail in the end. I dream so, I believe so, I feel so.
Md. Adil Hossain
M.A(Prev) Mass Communication
AMU, Aligarh
Mobile- +91-9997447287
Subject: [AMUNetwork] AMU: No Dissent, Vengeance on students & LIU mystery
To: AMUNetwork@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, 9 June, 2010, 7:22 AM
The present AMU administration has shown a despicable record in terms of respecting the freedom of speech and expression of the AMU students who as Indian Citizens must enjoy their right under article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution. In the recent Press Release the AMU authorities are only shedding crocodile tears about their care for girls students of I.G and Abdullah Hall as if they never did anything to expose the AMU girls towards “outside vulnerability”. In a RTI reply vide D.No.972/IGH dated 22.05.2010 (http://www.scribd. com/doc/32729541 /Ig-Provost- Rti-Reply) Provost, I.G.Hall reply to query no.4 as “Only one student of M.A(English) Ms. Samina Parveen was transferred by the order of the Vice-Chancellor from Halls of Residence to NRSC since she indulged in an argument with the Vice-Chancellor”. So our dear AMU administration very happily exposed a girl to outside “vulnerability” in 24 hours by transferring her to NRSC (simply throwing out of hostel) as she committed a grievous crime in a democratic country like India that she argued with the Vice-Chancellor.
In the recent times, another Mass Communication student Mr.Afaq Ahmad, who brought unimaginable development in the Dining Hall functioning at AMU and suspended since April 22, 2010 for shooting a documentary inside the Hall premises on his experience with the Dining Hall system at V.M.Hall was also denied of his fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. I filed an RTI to the CAPIO of AMU which was received with vide Ref No. 98/CAPIO/F/10- 11 dated 28/04/2010 about the grounds for arbitrary suspension of Mr.Afaq Ahmad, M.Phil, Mass Comm by Vice-Chancellor, AMU. In reply to my question where I asked whether a student need permission from Provost or not to shoot a video inside a Hall, Provost, B.R.Ambedkar Hall in the RTI reply vide D.No 93/BRH dated 29.05.2010 accepted (which is applicable to all Halls of Residences also), “ As per record there is no Rule/Ordinances/ Regulation explicitly prohibiting making of video clip of Hall without the permission of the Provost.”
In the most blunt confession about snatching the fundamental right of students of freedom of speech and expression, the Proctor Office in reply to same RTI vide D.No 139/Proc dated 01.06.2010 accepted that peaceful democratic protest like signature campaign is seen as pressure tactic by the University authorities and thereby it is a punishable offence considered by them. Please see the reply to the Question no.4 in the RTI reply by Proctor Office. The Proctor Office in the same RTI in reply to Question No.5 also accepted that pasting of news paper cuttings/posters on the walls of the Hall and other premises of the university would also be dealt harshly with the students( they may face severe punishment). Now there is no specific board arranged by the university authorities in the whole university where student can paste their posters or any other items, the earlier one present at the entrance of Moulana Azad Library was also removed so that student cant convey any message through this medium. So it is a usual practices in this Vice-Chancellor’s regime that student paste their materials near the place Office Notifications get pasted (as if they don’t disfigure the walls). So systematically this AMU administration has also robbed off the students their fundamental right of freedom of expression by making it punishable to paste any poster/pamphlets in the whole university. See the Afaq Bhai RTI and the Reply by CPIO, Proctors Office and CPIO, BR Ambedkar Hall here- http://www.scribd. com/doc/32732927 /AFAQ-Bhai- RTI-Mockery- of-Justice.
Now the question is, in a situation where we do not agree to a decision made by the AMU authorities what are the options available to us to register our dissent? If we participate in signature campaign leave alone any rally or procession we would be punished for no reason. If we paste any poster/ news papers cutting we would be punished for no reason. Where is the place for dissent then? Should we become suicide bomber to register our protest? This AMU has no difference with Hitlers Nazi Regime where dissent was not tolerated at any cost.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT, DREADED OFFICIAL SPY AGENCY OF AMU
The first story of Local Intelligence Unit was published in the March 8 edition of Outlook with the headline “Class Monitors” on the basis of a RTI reply (http://www.scribd. com/doc/32733386 /Proctor- Office-Accepts- LIU-Exist) procured by a RTI Activist Mr.Mohd. Chaman, a 4th grade AMU employee and Former AMU Court Member(http://www.outlooki ndia.com/ article.aspx? 264463). In this article Vice-Chancellor AMU defended its presence at the campus by stating that, “It helps maintain campus peace and security. There’s nothing secretive about the LIU and it is not policing.” After Dr.Siras controversy rocked the AMU administration and LIU’s involvement in the sting operation was exposed, this dreaded Local Intelligence Unit was covered in the articles published in India Today, Frontline and all national media. Till then LIU was known to be teemed with salaried employees but Proctor, AMU went on record in the Indian Express news published in the first page on April 11, 2010 “Shadow of AMU’s spy wing in Siras Sting” stating that students are also employed by the Proctor Office as spy in the campus. Proctor Md Zubair Khan confirmed: “There is such a proctorial team on the university. You can call it a local intelligence unit where students give information about campus activities and unwanted elements. http://www.indianex press.com/ news/shadow- of-amus-spy- wing-on-siras- sting/604027/. But after a huge public outcry over the presence of a spy agency first time in any educational institution in India the entire AMU administration started denying its presence including the Vice-Chancellor and started calling it mere “watch and ward” team but LIU remained active in the campus and performed their spy activities. Then came the news on LIU “Is there a spy wing in Aligarh Muslim University” (http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/india/ Is-there- a-spy-wing- in-Aligarh- Muslim-Universit y/articleshow/ 5885083.cms) that was published by most of the news agency which alleged that LIU was involved in suspending Mr.Afaq Ahmad, M.Phil, Dept. of Mass Communication, A.M.U. In continuation to Mr.Afaq’s story, after his suspension Indian Express published news called “Now, AMU suspends student for ‘threatening’ V-C” where they stated that though Proctor denied the presence of LIU and called it “Watch and Ward” yet the suspension order of Mr. Afaq Ahmad mentioned it(http://www.indianex press.com/ news/now- amu-suspends- student-for- threatening- vc/610761/ 0).
I had always been a strong critic of such a spy agency maintained by Proctor Office,AMU where students and people are employed for the purpose for keeping an eye on students and teachers of the university as it should not exist in any democratic institution. Secondly in the RTI, where Proctor Office accepted LIU exist in AMU and that they spend 1.2 lack/month in paying the salaries to LIU people, the CPIO/Budget of AMU in the letter vide D.No.990/FO dated 30.10.09 stated AMU doesn’t have any fund meant for LIU or anything. So the question arrives who pays for the 14 lack/annum spend on this spy agency? Is it the Miscellaneous fund of the students or any other fund meant for development?
To know the history and involvement of students in Local Intelligence Unit, I filed an RTI received at Proctor Office vide R.No 191/Proc dated 17.04.2010 asking 7 points in detail. When already in an RTI reply vide D.No 91/Proc dated 17.11.2009 Proctor Office not only accepted Local Intelligence Unit exist at Aligarh Muslim University but also provided the name of those persons employed as LIU, their salaries etc to my utter surprise the Proctors Office informed me in reply to my RTI application vide D.No 130/Proc dated 12.05.2010 (http://www.scribd. com/doc/32734673 /Proctor- Office-Denies- LIU-Exists- RTI-Reply that, “there is no LIU Unit at the Proctors Office”.
In the meantime, I received in reply to the RTI application regarding Afaq Bhai’s case the copy of “Confidential” letter sent by the Provost, V.M.Hall vide D.No 29/VMH dated 6th April, 2010 to the Vice-Chancellor where he mentioned that “some resident members of VM Hall, belonging to a particular ideology”( it speaks a volume how AMU administration works for the dissenters) especially Mr. Afaq Ahmad, M.Phil Mass Communication “ have really created a lot of mess” and “it may be confirmed from the LIU report” clearly mentioned on the 2nd page of the same letter. The letter itself states how in a democratic institution like AMU students are handpicked and butchered.
So now the question is, if LIU don’t exist as per the latest RTI reply by the Proctors Office, AMU, then why
Provost, VM Hall of AMU mentioned about the “LIU Report” to the Vice-Chancellor so that he may rely on what he is stating?
Prof.Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus, Dept of History in the Telelka Hindi(UP edition) of 30th April, 2010 stated that the culture of employing spies exist here since 1981? We can’t deny his authority on AMU administration. So if AMU Proctors Office in 7 months vanish the LIU in two contradicting RTI replies then for the last 30 years who paid the salaries of these LIU people? Is it students who were made to pay through different funds for this LIU?
My suspension and campus ban has come at a time when I was very close in my first stint as Investigative Journalist to reveal the cloudy and mysterious history of employing and funding spooks at the Aligarh Muslim University which is sponsored by many influential administrators of my alma mater. I had already filed the First Appeal to the Appellate Authority on 31.05.2010 as I found the answer from the CPIO, Proctor Office “misleading and incomplete” and next I would have proceeded against the Central Information Commission, New Delhi which will for sure appoint a committee to get all the information about such mysterious undemocratic agencies.
The reason for my suspension as writing on yahoogroups or blocking an empty road at dead night at AMU is just an eyewash. As I said earlier, not only my anti-administration stand on Dr.Siras issue, CCTV and above all LIU but also with all these RTI exercises which exposed the moral bankruptcy of the AMU administrators and their desperate and undemocratic attitude to crush any student’s voice of dissent has led to my suspension and such unseen campus ban. But truth shall prevail in the end. I dream so, I believe so, I feel so.
Md. Adil Hossain
M.A(Prev) Mass Communication
AMU, Aligarh
Mobile- +91-9997447287
Sunday, June 6, 2010
"I do want support, I do not want sympathy" Says Suspended AMU Student
Respected Aligs!
There are few points I want to make very much clear. Probably first time in any quasi-judicial process the name of two AMU related forums are dragged in official document by the authorities of AMU. I have no role in drafting my own Suspension Order. I can understand the Janab Zubair Sahab apprehension where he emphasized that it is individual responsibility and not yahoogroups or its moderators for all the matters some1 is writing on which he may face the consequences. But I am afraid I do not agree with Zubair Sahab here that the onus of proof lies on me. This is a famous principle in legal system that the onus of proof lies on the accuser i.e AMU Proctor now. The fact is that both individual and the yahoogroups who allow them to express their views and concerns are targeted here.
Now I know by criticising AMU administration for ignoring the needs and plight of the students through a public discussion forum at a time when Students Union is not active I have made many enemies. If raising such issues by writing which is my job as Mass Communication student is politics to some people I am proud of my actions. Mr.Shah Faisal, the IAS topper is known RTI activist and a `whistle blower' and I've also filed numerous RTI applications exercising the right as Indian Citizen along with my studies. I believe that if media ask me on my opinion about the episode on Dr.Siras, CCTV or Local Intelligence Unit whose illegal presence I exposed here officially( another principle of journalism) as everybody have their individual opinion, I have mine and I can voice it as my right. Secondly, till now no one can ever blame me of financial bungling at AMU, or engaged with any violence, or that even I slapped, abused any single student or teacher at AMU till date. I have always followed the rule of law and in dissent followed the democratic principles to lodge my protest. I have neither pointed a gun towards any official nor do I hold the collar of anybody while I register my disagreement with any official. So the brand of my politics if it is at all is harmless writing and expressing my thoughts with facts and logics and sometime substantial proofs. Now the University administration also suspends and impose campus ban those who burn the VC lodge and also on people like me who just simply write. Ask yourselves and tell is this justice? If my writings are wrong, politically motivated etc as people blame why not answer me in my way i.e simply you may reply in writing whatever you feel like. And if any reader don't like my writings, don't read me, delete my posts, who have forced them? I don't want to be a hero rather than to be listened. But yes they are unnecessarily making me a hero by taking stupid decisions by going against the spirit of Indian Constitution. I have no issues if University suspend me for valid reasons, but they have to make the context right and follow the proper legal steps. They can't be desperate to suspend me if they find me doing nothing illegal. I tried to change the face of student activism at AMU after a long time which was marred with student violence, regionalism, factionalism etc by simply writing only but my detractors even find fault with peaceful ways also. As far I have read a little history of AMU I think I have chosen the Moulana Hasrat Mohani's way to raise my concerns and facing the same fate i.e suspension and campus ban. AMU has not changed at all in the last 100 years. They do not know to respect the non-violent ways of protest by students which only push them further towards violence.
Few days back I wrote a post defining the yahoogroups as a new form of media which have their own impact. But the suspension of a student on account of writing in it is the dangerous development ever on the freedom of speech and expression. If we justify and do not protest against this action then tomorrow Dr.Sajjad Sahab or other teachers may not express themselves freely on such forums and University administration may take revenge on them by suspending them for writing in it. Tomorrow teachers can be charged with same sentences and we will only fight on the onus lies. The fact is simple and crystal clear. University has no right to charge anybody for writing on internet. With me two student, Tanveer of B.Tech & Syed Asad, BSC(Hons) Physics also voiced their criticism on CCTV or closing of gates of Sulaiman Hall, but if I am prosecuted for writing only today the yahoogroups, which is the last resort by the students these days to write freely about their life here in a time when student get punished for asking the Provost why they had not been served Chicken for two weeks would be discussion board for the Old Boys only where present teachers and students have no voice. If that is what Moderators want I have no problem. And who knows tomorrow student may face suspension for `baseless allegations against AMU' made on their twitter, facebook or orkut account for comments written inadvertently. AMU authorities cant impose thought control like in China.
I do want support, I do not want sympathy. All I want that Aligs must stand at this crucial juncture on the right of an individual to express himself freely in writing without the fear of subjugation.
Md. Adil Hossain [adilhossain43@yahoo.in]
M.A(Prev) Mass Communication
AMU, Aligarh
The posting has been taken from TheAligarhForum@yahoogroups.com
There are few points I want to make very much clear. Probably first time in any quasi-judicial process the name of two AMU related forums are dragged in official document by the authorities of AMU. I have no role in drafting my own Suspension Order. I can understand the Janab Zubair Sahab apprehension where he emphasized that it is individual responsibility and not yahoogroups or its moderators for all the matters some1 is writing on which he may face the consequences. But I am afraid I do not agree with Zubair Sahab here that the onus of proof lies on me. This is a famous principle in legal system that the onus of proof lies on the accuser i.e AMU Proctor now. The fact is that both individual and the yahoogroups who allow them to express their views and concerns are targeted here.
Now I know by criticising AMU administration for ignoring the needs and plight of the students through a public discussion forum at a time when Students Union is not active I have made many enemies. If raising such issues by writing which is my job as Mass Communication student is politics to some people I am proud of my actions. Mr.Shah Faisal, the IAS topper is known RTI activist and a `whistle blower' and I've also filed numerous RTI applications exercising the right as Indian Citizen along with my studies. I believe that if media ask me on my opinion about the episode on Dr.Siras, CCTV or Local Intelligence Unit whose illegal presence I exposed here officially( another principle of journalism) as everybody have their individual opinion, I have mine and I can voice it as my right. Secondly, till now no one can ever blame me of financial bungling at AMU, or engaged with any violence, or that even I slapped, abused any single student or teacher at AMU till date. I have always followed the rule of law and in dissent followed the democratic principles to lodge my protest. I have neither pointed a gun towards any official nor do I hold the collar of anybody while I register my disagreement with any official. So the brand of my politics if it is at all is harmless writing and expressing my thoughts with facts and logics and sometime substantial proofs. Now the University administration also suspends and impose campus ban those who burn the VC lodge and also on people like me who just simply write. Ask yourselves and tell is this justice? If my writings are wrong, politically motivated etc as people blame why not answer me in my way i.e simply you may reply in writing whatever you feel like. And if any reader don't like my writings, don't read me, delete my posts, who have forced them? I don't want to be a hero rather than to be listened. But yes they are unnecessarily making me a hero by taking stupid decisions by going against the spirit of Indian Constitution. I have no issues if University suspend me for valid reasons, but they have to make the context right and follow the proper legal steps. They can't be desperate to suspend me if they find me doing nothing illegal. I tried to change the face of student activism at AMU after a long time which was marred with student violence, regionalism, factionalism etc by simply writing only but my detractors even find fault with peaceful ways also. As far I have read a little history of AMU I think I have chosen the Moulana Hasrat Mohani's way to raise my concerns and facing the same fate i.e suspension and campus ban. AMU has not changed at all in the last 100 years. They do not know to respect the non-violent ways of protest by students which only push them further towards violence.
Few days back I wrote a post defining the yahoogroups as a new form of media which have their own impact. But the suspension of a student on account of writing in it is the dangerous development ever on the freedom of speech and expression. If we justify and do not protest against this action then tomorrow Dr.Sajjad Sahab or other teachers may not express themselves freely on such forums and University administration may take revenge on them by suspending them for writing in it. Tomorrow teachers can be charged with same sentences and we will only fight on the onus lies. The fact is simple and crystal clear. University has no right to charge anybody for writing on internet. With me two student, Tanveer of B.Tech & Syed Asad, BSC(Hons) Physics also voiced their criticism on CCTV or closing of gates of Sulaiman Hall, but if I am prosecuted for writing only today the yahoogroups, which is the last resort by the students these days to write freely about their life here in a time when student get punished for asking the Provost why they had not been served Chicken for two weeks would be discussion board for the Old Boys only where present teachers and students have no voice. If that is what Moderators want I have no problem. And who knows tomorrow student may face suspension for `baseless allegations against AMU' made on their twitter, facebook or orkut account for comments written inadvertently. AMU authorities cant impose thought control like in China.
I do want support, I do not want sympathy. All I want that Aligs must stand at this crucial juncture on the right of an individual to express himself freely in writing without the fear of subjugation.
Md. Adil Hossain [adilhossain43@yahoo.in]
M.A(Prev) Mass Communication
AMU, Aligarh
The posting has been taken from TheAligarhForum@yahoogroups.com
Monday, May 24, 2010
Beyond Rafi Relief:Moral Ambiguities of AMU
Big educational and cultural institutions, sports organizations, etc. are increasingly earning disrepute for mis-utilising/ (diverting illegally) funds. In fact, there seems to be a competitive spirit in this kind of degeneration. The allegations are most often against the best of scholars, and most suave of the politicians. P. Vijayan, Shahshi Tharoor, NMML Director (See, The Hindu, 24 May 2010), quite a few Vice Chancellors, and God knows who else.
O. Ravi (IAS), Lalit Modi and other such names are not as much outrageous, because of their "low" stature.
Dr Mohsin Raza sb, Mr Adil or few more people like them may (or may not) come out with embarrassing truths. That won't be surprising. Still some highly accomplished alumni (self-righteous ones, some of them based in overseas) will display most disgusting kind of flattery. Even if Dr Mohsin Raza sb or Mr Adil come to know of irregularities and succeed in obtaining evidences to that effect, what difference will it make? How many self-righteous, overseas alumni have shown their outrage against Principal Accountant General's Report (November 2009) on huge financial irregularities in AMU? How many of them have spoken forthrightly against Justice Mathew Report? There is a long history of corruption in AMU. One of the reasons for saddening and depressing last days of Sir Syed was corruption in MAO College. Many more evidences collected in various inquiry reports like Sheikh Abdullah Report(1926), Ibrahim Rahimatoola Report (1927), G.C. Chatterji Report (1961),...further testify it.
So much of Tehzeeb and Tamaddun of Aligarh.
Reports of corruption in higher judiciary are no secret. Arundhati Roy's essay, "Scandal in the Palace" is only one such brave "report". Dinakaran and many more are already increasingly becoming sources of embarrassment for the Indian judiciary.
We are living in an age of moral ambiguities. The distinction between heroes and villains, honest and dishonest, moral and immoral are increasingly getting blurred. Popular Bollywood Hindi movies are best articulations/ representations of such ambiguities.
The whistle blowers are the most hated elements among the sections of Aligs. They would ask you to leave the sacred/ holy place like AMU, as according to them, it is above criticism; it is a question of faith (Aqeeda/ Aastha- Much like the Sangh Pariwar’s argument that the Ramjanma Bhoomi is a matter of their aastha hence Supreme Court, Parliament, Constitution, scientific history, all are irrelevant and redundant). They wantonly refuse to realize that those who make such exposes are the greater friends/ well-wishers of AMU, as they are mobilizing opinion for the systemic corrective.
Shahryar’s poem, “Muslim University ki Fariyaad” is worth recalling:
MujaawiroN ki bheerh ney
Mujhey phir ek qabr mein badal diya
MaiN kah raha hooN der sey
MaiN zinda hooN
Meri sada mein baaz gasht kyoN nahiN
Merey Khuda
Mujhey sazaaeiN jitni dey
Pe yooN nahiN
Beware of these “Mujaawirs”.
There are many, ever increasing, and they are the moral custodians of the institution.
Should not we scratch the various layers of meanings embedded in this brilliant metaphor, “Mujaawir”?
I hope, "amunetwork" won't censor it.
Regards,
Dr Mohammad Sajjad
Lecturer
Centre of Advanced Study in History
Aligarh Muslim University (India)
fdr_amu@yahoogroups.com
O. Ravi (IAS), Lalit Modi and other such names are not as much outrageous, because of their "low" stature.
Dr Mohsin Raza sb, Mr Adil or few more people like them may (or may not) come out with embarrassing truths. That won't be surprising. Still some highly accomplished alumni (self-righteous ones, some of them based in overseas) will display most disgusting kind of flattery. Even if Dr Mohsin Raza sb or Mr Adil come to know of irregularities and succeed in obtaining evidences to that effect, what difference will it make? How many self-righteous, overseas alumni have shown their outrage against Principal Accountant General's Report (November 2009) on huge financial irregularities in AMU? How many of them have spoken forthrightly against Justice Mathew Report? There is a long history of corruption in AMU. One of the reasons for saddening and depressing last days of Sir Syed was corruption in MAO College. Many more evidences collected in various inquiry reports like Sheikh Abdullah Report(1926), Ibrahim Rahimatoola Report (1927), G.C. Chatterji Report (1961),...further testify it.
So much of Tehzeeb and Tamaddun of Aligarh.
Reports of corruption in higher judiciary are no secret. Arundhati Roy's essay, "Scandal in the Palace" is only one such brave "report". Dinakaran and many more are already increasingly becoming sources of embarrassment for the Indian judiciary.
We are living in an age of moral ambiguities. The distinction between heroes and villains, honest and dishonest, moral and immoral are increasingly getting blurred. Popular Bollywood Hindi movies are best articulations/ representations of such ambiguities.
The whistle blowers are the most hated elements among the sections of Aligs. They would ask you to leave the sacred/ holy place like AMU, as according to them, it is above criticism; it is a question of faith (Aqeeda/ Aastha- Much like the Sangh Pariwar’s argument that the Ramjanma Bhoomi is a matter of their aastha hence Supreme Court, Parliament, Constitution, scientific history, all are irrelevant and redundant). They wantonly refuse to realize that those who make such exposes are the greater friends/ well-wishers of AMU, as they are mobilizing opinion for the systemic corrective.
Shahryar’s poem, “Muslim University ki Fariyaad” is worth recalling:
MujaawiroN ki bheerh ney
Mujhey phir ek qabr mein badal diya
MaiN kah raha hooN der sey
MaiN zinda hooN
Meri sada mein baaz gasht kyoN nahiN
Merey Khuda
Mujhey sazaaeiN jitni dey
Pe yooN nahiN
Beware of these “Mujaawirs”.
There are many, ever increasing, and they are the moral custodians of the institution.
Should not we scratch the various layers of meanings embedded in this brilliant metaphor, “Mujaawir”?
I hope, "amunetwork" won't censor it.
Regards,
Dr Mohammad Sajjad
Lecturer
Centre of Advanced Study in History
Aligarh Muslim University (India)
fdr_amu@yahoogroups.com
Rafi Relief Society, AMUSU, Student Activism and Current Administration
Janab Dr. Mohsin Raza Sahab, Moderator of WorldofAligs and Former President, Aligarh Muslim University Students Union rightly mentioned about the Philanthropic Rafi Relief Society associated with AMUSU. This is also a glaring truth pointed by him that University authorities are still charging the students some amount under this head ( Code 50206 in the PAYEE's COPY) even in the absence of AMU Students Union.
In one of the RTI reply received by me vide D.No 134/Stud dated 07.10.2009 from the Asst Finance Officer( Students) it was mentioned that AMU authorities collected Rs. 64,153 in the session 2006-07, Rs. 83,466 in the session 2007-08 and Rs. 69, 568 in 2008-09 as Rafi Relief Fund.
Well, I am not aware of the rules and regulation at place that whether Rafi Relief fund can be spent in the absence of AMU Students Union or not but in another RTI reply vide D.No 141/Stud dated 10.10.2009 it was stated that in the session 2007-08 Rs. 49, 213 was spent by the AMU authorities. However AMUSU was dissolved in September, 2007 by the AMU authorities. Janab Mohsin Raza Sahab may throw light on this issue as being Former AMUSU President he might know that whether AMU authorities can spend from this fund or not in the absence of AMUSU.
AMU students are always ahead in the philanthropic activities and as I often compare it with other universities I feel proud about my alma mater on this front. AMUSU has always taken the lead in recognizing the problems and issues of the distress lot of the society and to come up with any measure which can help them. The presence of Students Union bolsters such activities as then such activity becomes more organized and more students participate in bringing a major change. Even the worst Students Unions has shown great contribution in the philanthropic activities.
During my stay at AMU I remember the AMUSU's role in the Tsunami relief work going on in Tamilnadu for which I felt really proud. They sent a relief team consisting of 11 doctors to the Tsunami ravaged areas of Nagapattinam where they distributed medicines and organized health camps. They also contributed Rs.2, 32, 480 in the PM's relief fund which was highly appreciated. AMUSU also created a "Benevolent Fund" during that time so that subsidy can be provided to the poor students in meeting the expenditure of toward treatment of disease/traumas for which the requisite facilities are not available at JNMC and they are referred to other reputed hospitals for specialized treatment outside Aligarh. The fact is that a process of sensitization about such issues affecting our society was a commonplace during that time.
But what actually make me highly disappointed and angry about the current administration of AMU that systematically they are creating such environment here that students are becoming naive and nonchalant about the issues and problems inflicting in our society.
However students of AMU are still more helpful than others but in the absence of any organization and systematic crushing of any leadership (Our Vice-Chancellor often say at the functions he doesn't want any leader here) I think we are creating a dead society here where individuals are trained to be concerned about themselves only. We know this way we cant think of helping the beleaguered Muslim Community.
Md. Adil Hossain <adilhossain43(AT)yahoo.in>
M.A(Previous) Mass Communication
AMU, Aligarh
Thursday, April 15, 2010
AMU Visitor’s Inquiry resumed against Prof. Azis
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