The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sibal help sought in AMU crisis

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Sibal help sought in AMU crisis

NEW DELHI: A senior member of Aligarh Muslim University’s apex decision-making body has sought intervention of Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal in resolving the current deadlock at the institution, saying the AMU Executive Council, the teachers and students have lost faith in the Vice-Chancellor.

‘Closure unwanted’

Former Member of Parliament Waseem Ahmed, a member of the AMU Executive Council, said the HRD Minister should intervene and resolve the present crisis as also the one stemming from delay in the work of an inquiry committee to probe alleged financial irregularities by Vice-Chancellor P. K. Abdul Azis.

The University was closed indefinitely by the V-C on October 30 following protests by students over the murder of an under-graduate student allegedly by a local goon. While the V-C insisted that the action was taken to prevent the students’ agitation turning violent, the students and the teachers’ association termed it “unwanted”.

Mr. Ahmad said the decision to close down the campus was taken without consulting the Executive Council, which is the main decision-making body of the University.

Six suspended

“The decision was taken without calling an EC meeting. The V-C has not held any EC meeting since August this year, and since February 18 the few meetings called have been held without the quorum of 15 members,” Mr. Ahmad charged.

The V-C has also suspended six students involved in the recent protests for misconduct and indiscipline.

“I have apprised the HRD Minister of the current state of affairs and have sought his intervention,” said Mr. Ahmad.

Teachers’ demand

According to a report from Aligarh, meanwhile, a general body meeting of the AMU Teachers’ Association has called for a “comprehensive time-bound CBI inquiry” into the affairs of the University.

The stormy meeting also passed a resolution demanding “immediate re-opening of the University”.

“The main reason for the present trouble at AMU is the communication gap between the University community and the V-C,” said the resolution.

The Association has also demanded that elections to various bodies of the University, including the Students’ Union, the Academic Council and the AMU Court, should be held at the earliest. - PTI

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