To,
Shri Pranab Mukherjee
The Hon’ble President of India
30.01.16

Respected Sir,

There is rising concern among the Muslim community after the current stand of Govt. of India regarding the minority status of AMU & Jamia jeopardizing the prospects of Muslim youths to pursue higher education.

Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh and Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi have been educational hubs for Muslim youths for last one century. In spite of the number of educational institutions, only these two cater the need of Muslim students to safeguard their educational fundamental rights. After completing their schoolings the Muslim students head towards these two to pursue higher studies for their better future prospects.

In reference to current stand of Union Govt towards Minority Status of AMU & Jamia, a meeting of alumni from Azamgarh & Mau was held on 17th January 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in Azamgarh and the alumni expressed their dismay, anguish & shock and unanimously resolved as under:

That; Aligarh Muslim University occupies a unique position amongst universities and institutions of higher learning in the country. It was established in 1920, and evolved out of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College) which was set up in 1877 by the great visionary and social reformer, Sir Syed Ahmad khan and it has been built with community participation. From its very inception, it has kept its door open to the members of all communities and from all corners of the country and the world.

That; Jamia Millia Islamia came into existence in1920 through the tireless efforts of its founders, such as Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmud Hasan, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Jenab Abdul Majeed Khwaja and Dr. Zakir Husain. It symbolizes the unflinching and resolute commitment of these great visionaries in bringing about socio-economic transformation of common masses, in general, and Muslims, in particular through the vehicle of education.

That; these two universities which solely serve the interests of Muslims in India shall uphold dignity & legacy of Indian Muslims and retain their Minority status as per Section 5(2-c) (AMU ACT) under Power of University which reads “To promote especially the educational and cultural advancement of the Muslims of India”

We request Your Excellency as the Visitor of the said institutions to intervene into the matter and uphold the constitutional duty to safeguard the interest and fundamental rights of Muslims in India.

Yours Sincerely

AMU and JMI alumni from Azamgarh & Mau