Who is a Provost at AMU? Know your University functionaries

                                                                                                               Prof.Mohammad Habib, 1st Provost of Aftab Hall in 1932-34 and a world famous historian on Medieval India

Section 7 of Chapter XXIII of the Aligarh Muslim University Ordinances( Executive) 

Power and Duties of Provosts of Halls of Residence and N. R. S. C.

(i) The Provosts shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Statute 11 of the Statutes of the University, and shall receive such allowance as may be fixed by the Executive Council.

(ii) The Provost shall allot students to various Hostels in the Hall of residence at the time of admission.

(iii) The Provost shall be responsible for the maintenance of personal records of the students in respect of their academic performance and character.

(iv) The Provost shall be responsible to look after the general well-being of resident students particularly sick students who are hospitalised.

(v) It shall be the responsibility of the Provost to promote the corporate life of the students in the Hall and to provide amenities for reading room, games, sports, cultural and literary activities, Coaching & Guidance Cell, and other extra curricular activities, to the extent possible within the financial allocations made for the purpose.

(vi) The Provost shall supervise the functioning of the Dining Hall in his Hall of Residence, and shall be responsible for providing economical, hygienic and reasonably nutritious food to resident students. The Provost shall also be responsible to ensure continuous functioning of the Dining Hall and to ensure that all resident students take their meals in the Dining Hall as far as possible. For the purpose of effective functioning of the Dining Hall, the Provost should occasionally take meals with the resident students in the Dining Hall.

(vii) All concessions and financial assistance to students shall be awarded by the Provost on the recommendation of a Committee consisting of the wardens of the Hall, and one person nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, the Committee to be chaired by the Provost. The Provost shall ensure that all awards are decided within two months of closure of admissions. 

(viii) The Provost shall be responsible for the maintenance of discipine among the students within the Hall in accordance with Student's Conduct and Disciplinary Rules. Without prejudice to the powers given to various functionaries of the University, under Statute 35, the Provost may frame, with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor, such supplementary rules as deemed necessary for maintenance of discipline among students

within the Hall. Every student resident in the Hall should however be supplied with a copy of rules so made.

(ix) The Provost shall be in general administrative charge of the Hall of Residence and shall have the following powers and duties for that purpose:-

(a) To procure funds for running the Hall to maintain the accounts, to make necessary purchases and arrange for periodic stock verification in the manner prescribed.

(b) To look after the upkeep and maintenance of Hall buildings and equipments, through the Building, Electricity and other concerned Departments of the University.

(c) To appoint and to take disciplinary action in his capacity as appointing authority against 'D' category staff of the Hall establishment and to maintain their service records in accordance with University rules.

(d) To supervise the working of wardens and employees of the Hall and to ensure that they are doing their job to the best satisfaction of the students.

(e) To act as the drawing and disbursing officer of the Hall of Residence and to operate all

funds placed at his disposal by the Finance and Accounts Department of the University.

(f) To control shops and other commercial establishments within Hall premises in consultation with the Proctor.

(g) To correspond with the guardians of the students regarding illness, indiscipline, and non-payment of arrears etc., of the students.

(h) To ensure that no unauthorised person stays in the Hall of Residence.

(x) The Provost shall be assisted in the administration of the Hall by a number of wardens sanctioned for the Hall from time to time.

(xi) The Dean, Students' Welfare having been given the responsibility of coordination between various Halls, the Provosts shall attend all meetings convened by the Dean, Students' Welfare, and shall implement to the extent possible, all decisions made in such meetings.

(xii) The Provost may delegate some of his powers to the wardens of the Hall working under him for the purpose of better administration of the Hall, but over all responsibility shall continue to vest in the Provost.

(xiii) The Provost shall appoint all Hall and Hostel post holders from among the students of the Hall and fix their duties.

(xiv) The Provost shall arrange for holding periodic meetings of the Hall Council.

(xv) The Provost shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Vice-Chancellor and may exercise such other powers as may be laid down from time to time.

Know your University Functionaries: Proctor and his Power and Duties

                                                                                  Prof. Satish Chanda, Noted Historian, Former Proctor, Aligarh Muslim University

Section 6 of Chapter XXIII of the Aligarh Muslim University Ordinances( Executive)

 Powers and Duties of the Proctor :

A- Membership of the University Court, Councils and Committees :

(i) The Proctor shall be an ex-officio member of the University Court.

(ii) The Proctor shall be a member of the Executive Council.

(iii) The Proctor shall be a member of the Academic Council.

(iv) The Proctor shall be a member of the Admission Committee.

(v) The Proctor shall be a member of the Selection Committees for all posts of Category 'B' staff of 'security Services' Cadre of the University.

(vi) The Proctor shall be the Chairman of the Selection Committees for Category 'C' staff of 'Security Services Cadre of the University.

(vii) The Proctor shall be the member -Secretary of Discipline Committee.

B- Administrative Functions of Responsibilities : 

(i) The Proctor, in terms of Statute 35 (2) shall be responsible to maintain discipline among

University students and such functions shall be split into four parts namely :

(a) Monitoring the disciplinary climate prevailing in the students community .

(b) Taking preventive steps such as issue of notices, warnings, instructions regulating certain acts, and other arrangements for the purpose of forestalling acts of individual or collective indisicipline.

(c) The Proctor has to collect relevant facts about the incidents of indiscipline, evaluate the evidences and decide / recommend the quantum of punishment to be imposed on the erring students. Wherever considered necessary the Proctor has to place the relevant information before the Vice- Chancellor or the Discipline Committee for their decision.

(d) The Proctor shall issue all orders relating to disciplinary proceedings against students.


(ii) The Proctor shall make arrangements for the security of University establishments. He shall

extend all possible help to various departments of the University to ensure security and safety of

University property through the watch and ward staff working under him.

(iii) The Proctor shall make arrangements for the maintenance of Cycle/Scooter Stands in the

University.

(iv) The Proctor shall be responsible for the screening of applications for the contract of various

canteens/shops in the campus as well as checking of the credentials of the persons employed in

these establishments.

(v) The Proctor shall maintain liaision with the District Administration in matters regarding the law and orders situation in the University campus.

(vi) The Proctor shall be the Drawing and Disbursing Officer of his department and appointing

authority of Category 'D' staff working under him.

(vii) The Proctor shall perform such other functions as the Vice-Chancellor may direct from time to time.

Know your University Functionaries: Dean Students Welfare, AMU

Prof K A Nizami, Former Dean Students Welfare(D.S.W), AMU

Section 5 of Chapter XXIII of the Aligarh Muslim University Ordinances( Executive)

 Powers and Duties of the Dean, Student's Welfare:

A- Membership of the University Court, Councils,Faculty and Committees :

(i) The Dean, Student's Welfare (D. S. W.) shall be member of the University Court.

(ii) The D. S. W. shall be a member of the Academic Council.

(iii) The D. S. W. shall be a member of the Board of Secondary Education.

(iv) The D. S. W. shall be a member of the Committee of Examinations.

(v) The D. S. W. shall be a member of Library Committee.

(vi) The D. S. W. shall be a member of the Admission Committee.

(vii) The D. S. W. will be the Chairman of the Hall Amenities Committee consisting of all the Provosts, the Building and Electrical Engineers,the Chief Medical Officer, and such other functionaries as may be coopted, which will look into all matters connected with the basic student amenities in the Halls of Residence and the N. R.-S C., and will submit periodic reports

to the Vice-Chancellor.

(viii) The D. S. W. shall be a member of Discipline Committee and Games Committee.

B- Administrative Functions and Responsibilities :

(i) The D.S.W. shall coordinate the activities of the various Halls of Residence and the N.R.S.C.

(ii) The D.S.W. shall coordinate the work of allotment of residential accommodation and shifting of residental students from one Hall to another.

(iii) The D.S.W. shall monitor the functioning of the University Health Service and indoor treatment of students in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer and the Provost concerned.

(iv) The D.S.W. shall coordinate the proper functioning of the dining halls to ensure uniformity of cost and standards to the extent possible.

(v) The D.S.W. shall be the Chairman of the Canteen Committee. 

(vi) The D.S.W. shall be actively associated in the running of the Coaching and Guidance Centre, National Social Service Scheme, Employment Bureau, General Education Centre of the University and other co-curricular activities of students, in consultation with the In-Charge of the organisation concerned.

(vii) The D.S.W. shall be the Coordinator of Admissions of Foreign Students.

(viii) The D.S.W. shall co-ordinate and arrange the disbursement of all financial aids, scholarships, stipends etc. to the students.

(ix) The D.S.W. shall make arrangement with Railway authorities for the issue of railway concessions to students during vacations for educational tours, and for students participation in extracurricular activities and sports.

(x) The D.S.W. will issue character certificates to the students after obtaining reports from the Provosts the Dean of Faculty concerned and the Proctor in respect of the students.

(xi) The D.S.W. shall perform such other functions for the welfare of the students as the Vice-Chancellor may direct as may be prescribed in the Regulations from time to time.

(xii) The D.S.W. shall be the Drawing and Disbursing Officer for his office and the appointing authority of 'D' category staff working under him.

Code of Conduct for Aligarh Muslim University Teachers

Code of Conduct for University Teachers

(Ref.: Recommended by the Academic Council at its meeting held on 30.3.76/17.4.76 and approved by the Executive Council on 20.4.1976.)

“Whereas, it is the responsibility of every teacher to advance and disseminate Knowledge through his/her professional activities;

Whereas, a teacher should always try to give his/her best to the students and to the institution;

Whereas, a teacher should always adhere to honest dealing and fair play;

Whereas, a teacher is good conscience should have the freedom of expression of opinion;

The following lapses shall constitute misconduct on the part of a University teacher:

1. Wilful failure to perform the academic duties assigned to him/her in accordance with the Act, Statutes and Ordinances.

2. Victimization of and discrimination against students, colleagues and other staff.

3. Inciting of students against other students, colleagues, the University administration and its employees. A teacher, however, shall have the right to express his/her opinion and ventilate differences on matters of principle in meetings, seminars or formal assemblies of students.

4. Raising question of caste, creed, religion, race or sex in his/her relationships with students, colleagues and other staff, with a view to furthering one’s prospects.

5. Refusal to carry out the decisions of competent authorities/bodies and officers of the University in due exercise of their functions, made in accordance with the Act, Statutes and Ordinances. A teacher shall, however, have the right to express his/her difference with the policies and decisions of the authorities and officers of the University.

Notwithstanding anything herein before contained, bona fide criticism or expression of opinion by any teacher shall not constitute misconduct.”

Code of Conduct for AMU Students

Aligarh Muslim University Students Conduct and Discipline Rules 1985
(Approved by the Academic Council at its meeting hold on 6.10.1985)

Contents
Part-I
General
1. Title of the Rules:
These Rules shall be called “The Aligarh Muslim University Students Conduct and Discipline Rules, 1985.
2. Date of Commencement:
These Rules shall come into force with immediate effect.
3. Applications of Rules:
These Rules shall apply to all the students of the University, whether admitted before the date of enforcement of these Rules or afterwards.

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Part-II
Indiscipline and Misconduct
4. Acts of Indiscipline and Misconduct:

Any act of misconduct committed by a student inside or outside the campus shall be an act of violation of discipline of the University.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, violations of the discipline shall include:
(i) Disruption of teaching, student examination, research or administrative work, curricular or extra-curricular activity or residential life of the members of the University, including any attempt to prevent any member of the University or its staff from carrying on his or her work;
and any act reasonably likely to cause such disruption.
(ii) Damaging or defacing University property or the property of members of the University or any other property inside or outside the University campus.
(iii) Engaging in any attempt at wrongful confinement of teachers, offices, employees and students of the University or camping inside or creating
nuisance inside the boundaries of houses of teachers, officers and other members of the University.
(iv) Use of abusive and derogatory slogans or intimidatory language or incitement of hatred and violence or any act calculated to further the same.
(v) Ragging in any form
(v) (i) “The word ‘ragging’ means the action of teasing, playing a practical joke upon someone or holding comic parades and other activities during certain period of a College term to raise money for charity”

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Ragging includes Display of noisy, disorderly conduct, teasing excitement by rough or rude treatment or handling, including in rowdy indisciplined activities which causes or likely to cause annoyance undue hardship, physical or psychological harm or raise apprehension or fear in a fresher or asking the students to do any act or perform something which cause him/her shame or embarrassment or danger to his/her life. Forms of ragging to address senior or ‘Sir’ perform mass drills; copy class not for the seniors; sever various errands; do menial jobs for the seniors; asks/answer vulgar questions; force to look at pornographic pictures to freshers out of their innocence; force to drink alcohol, scalding tea, etc. to do acts which an lead to physical injury, mental torture or death; strip kiss or do other obscenities.
(vi) Eve teasing or disrespectful behaviour to women or girls students;
(vii) An assault upon, or intimidation of, or insulting behaviour towards a teacher, officer, employee or student or any other person.
(viii) Causing or colluding in the unauthorized entry of any person into the campus or in the unauthorized occupation of any portion of University premises, including hostels or halls of residence, by any person;
(ix) Getting enrolled in more than once course of study simultaneously in violence of the University rules;
(x) Committing forgery, tampering with or misuse of the University documents or records, identification cards, etc.,
(xi) Furnishing false certificate or false information to any office under the control and jurisdiction of the University;
(xii) Consuming or possessing alcoholic drinks, dangerous drugs or other intoxicants in the University premises.
(xiii) Indulging in acts of gambling in the University premises;
(xiv) Possessing or using any weapons such as knives, Lathis, iron chains, iron rods, sticks, explosives and fire arms in the University premises.
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(xv) Arousing communal, caste or regional feelings or creating disharmony among students;
(xvi) Not disclosing one’s identity when asked to do so by an employee or officer of the University who is authorized to ask for identity.
(xvii) Tearing of pages, defacing, burning and destroying of books of any library or seminar.
(xviii) Unauthorised occupation of hostel, rooms or unauthorised acquisition or use or University furniture in one’s hostel room or elsewhere.
(xix) Accommodating guests or other persons in hostels without permission of the Provost or Warden.
(xx) Improper rendering of accounts for money drawn from or through any office under the control and jurisdiction of the University.
(xxi) Coercing the Medical Staff to render Medical Assistance to persons not entitled to the same or any other disorderly behaviour;
(xxii) Any act of moral turpitude;
(xxiii) Any offence under law;
(xxiv) Committing any of the offences specified in the examination (Control of Unfair Means and Disorderly Conduct) Regulations of the University.
(xxv) Violation of the Traffic Rules as notified by the Proctor.
(xxvi) Improper behaviour while on tour or excursion.
(xxvii) Pasting of posters or distributing pamphlets, handbills etc. of an objectionable nature or writing on walls and disfiguring buildings, and
(xxviii) Any other act which may be considered by the Vice-Chancellor or the Discipline Committee to be an act of violation of discipline.

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Part III

Officers authorized to take disciplinary action
5. Without prejudice to the powers of the Vice-Chancellor as specified under Status 35(1), (2), (3) of the Statutes, the following persons are authorized to take disciplinary action by way of imposing penalties as specified in part IV of these Regulations;
1. Deans of the Faculties/Dean, Students’ Welfare
2. Principals of the Colleges/Institutions
3. Chairmen of the Departments of Studies
4. Proctor
5. Librarian, Maulana Azad Library
6. Provosts of Halls of Residence and N.R.S.C.
7. Secretary, University Games Committee
8. Any other person employed by the University and authorised by
the Vice-Chancellor for the purpose.
6. (i) Any penalty enumerated in Rule 7 may be imposed by the
Vice-Chancellor upon the recommendation of the Discipline
Committee constituted under Ordinances (Academic) Chapter
XI.
(ii) Penalties other than those specified in Clause (ix), (x), (xi), (xii) and (xiii) of Rule 7 may also be imposed by any of the Officers enumerated in Rule 5, within their respective jurisdictions.
(iii) Penalties on the offences relating to Examination will be dealt by the relevant bodies.
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Part IV
7. Nature of Penalties:
The following penalties may, for act of indiscipline or misconduct or for sufficient reasons, be imposed on a student, namely:
i) Written warning and information to the guardian
ii) Fine upon Rs. 500/- which may extent upto Rs. 2,500/-
iii) Suspension from the Class/Department/College/Hostel/Mess/Library/ or availing of any other facility
iv)Suspension or cancellation of Scholarships, fellowship or any financial assistance from any source or recommendation to that effect to the sanctioning agency
v) Recover of pecuniary loss caused to University Property
vi) Debarring from participation in Sports/NCC/NSS and other such activities
vii) Disqualifying from holding any representative position in the Class/College/Hostel/Mess/Sports/Clubs and in similar other bodies
viii) Hostel shift and Hall shift
ix) Sent down
x) Expulsion from the Department/Faculty/Hostel/Mess/Library/ Club for a specified period
xi) Debarring from an examination
xii) Issue of Migration Certificate
xiii) Expulsion from the University for a specified period
xiv) Disqualifying from further studies, or prohibition of further admission or re-admission.

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8. Any student against whom a charge of misconduct has been made may be suspended from the rolls of the University by the Vice-Chancellor, pending enquiry or pending trial or a cognisable offence by a court of law.
9. No penalty, provided in Clause (x), (xi), (xii), (xiii) and (xiv) of Rule 7 shall be imposed without giving the student a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
10. A review of disciplinary action/actions initiated against a student would lie with the officer issuing the orders, within seven days, and an appeal would lie against the orders of the authorities mentioned in these Rules (except the Vice-Chancellor) to the Discipline Committee.

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AMU Vice-Chancellor is mislead and misleading

Aligarh, August 6- This refer to the Press Release by the Public Relation Officer, AMU Dr.Rahat Abrar on August 1, 2010 to report the Press Conference organized by the Vice-Chancellor, AMU.

Aligarh Muslim University has captured a lot of space in the National Media for the last few months for illegal suspensions of students for practicing freedom of speech and expression to air the grievances of the students, a fundamental right as ensured under article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution. The PRO Office AMU has the dubious distinction of misleading the Indian Media about the draconian crackdown on the students which is a commonplace under the regime of the tainted Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.K.Abdul Azis who want to silence the slightest criticism from the students on the subject of civil liberties, human rights and financial bungling. Earlier in a Press Release of 15 November, 2010 the PRO stated, “During the last 2 years, the University administration has not suspended or rusticated any student for violation of code of conduct rules.” However their blatant lie was exposed when a report on it was published in THE HINDU “According to the RTI response, in 2007, 32 students were suspended in September, six in August, 26 in October and 15 in November. In 2008, roughly 10 students were suspended. Of the students who were suspended in 2007, 28 students were rusticated in 2008. Thirty-one students were suspended in 2009 of which 18 were suspended in November. Of the suspended students, four were rusticated. In 2010, 12 students had been suspended till April taking the total count to 148 students who had been suspended, rusticated or both.(http://www.thehindu.com/2010/06/15/stories/2010061565940300.htm)

Again the AMU authorities are apparently misleading the media and the world about the sad state of affairs here where students are at the end. In the recent Press Release it is stated “Replying to a question Prof. Azis said that the University has suspended four students in 2010”, whereas in a RTI respon vide D.No.144 /Proc dated 14.06.2010 se the Proctor Office informed me that they have suspended 14 students till date ( Irfan Khan, Jamil Akhtar, Shahnawaz Alam, Dhananjay Singh Jadon, Rohit Sharma, Roopendra Singh, Rizwan Abid, Tanzeel Ahmad, Mohd. Maaz, Kumar Gaurav, Mohd Faheem, Afaq Ahmad, Md. Adil Hossain, Irfan Khan).

It seems either the Vice-Chancellor, AMU doesn’t bother to collect proper information from the Proctors Office or he want to defend his regime which is tainted with autocratic suspensions of brilliant students who dare to criticize him by lying to the world.

In another place it is written in the Press Release, “Referring to the allegation that democratic rights of AMU students were being undermined the Vice Chancellor said that the students were enjoying the right to air their grievances through Grievance Redressal Committees at department and hostel levels.”

It seems that the Vice-Chancellor has grossly misunderstood the concepts of democracy and above all democratic rights. Democratic rights (here this is referred to is the freedom of speech and expression) are not for seasons or for certain days but it exist every moment for every citizen living in a democracy and also it is not confined within a space. This is a universally accepted principle and it was aptly reflected in the ruling of United States Supreme Court in the case of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969) wherein it states, “A student's rights, therefore, do not embrace merely the classroom hours. When he is in the cafeteria, or on the playing field, or on [513] the campus during the authorized hours, he may express his opinions,” it also went on to state "It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."

The Grievance Redressal Committees at the Department and Hostel levels are defunct bodies which neither empower neither students to air their grievances freely nor they have any legal validity. Since last students agitation no meeting of such committees have taken place and never happened to be fruitful. So the Vice-Chancellor is completely in darkness about the state of affairs of his own university. The students who had the grievances from January, 2010 till date where they would put up their problems if such committees exist in air ? The people who wrote the AMU Act, 1981 clearly gave the students their democratic representation in the statutory bodies like AMU Court and Academic Councils which the AMU Vice-Chancellor is ignoring violating his own duties under the statute 3(2) of the same Act. Secondly he showed his knowledge of democratic rights which should be brushed up by some expert on it when he suspended Mr.Irfan Khan, Research Scholar for speaking to the media “without the permission of lawful authorities”. The Irfan Khan case should hang our head in shame.

The Press Release of August 1 also stated, “The Vice Chancellor assured that the Students’ Union will be revived when the time is ripe.” It is the right of the students to have their Students Union under statute 34 of the AMU Act, 1981 and the sentence is written there is as “there shall be”, so its restoration is mandatory. When all exams are being conducted peacefully, when all meetings of AC, EC, Court are being conducted without any hassle what kind of peaceful academic atmosphere this Vice-Chancellor need to restore the AMUSU. He should better leave fooling around people with the words “ripe” when he does not want any democratic body at the campus which threaten his Sultanate.

AMU students are not fools and know it very well how to restore democracy and rule of law at the campus. With the growing resentment in the campus, and denying of any safety valve for releasing the pressure, the day is not far when another revolution will take place to witness some decisive moments for the “democratic rights”.

Students Demand Justice: VC Apologize for Al-Qaida remarks and fulfill our valid demands

Long time back in 1999 Vice-Chancellor Mahmoodur Rahman (An IAS Officer with close links with the BJP Government at Centre) said in The Times of India, “AMU Students bristling with ISI agents”. It caused immense damage to the image of our alma mater. Students from Aligarh Muslim University were denied jobs, people looked at them with suspicion and above all as an after affect a student from AMU Mr.Mubeen was picked up from the VM Hall in broad daylight and later branded as “terrorist”. Even today the Hindutva brigades quote that and try to malign our image.

Cut back to 2007. A time when Shivraj Patil was the Home Minister, when news of serious bomb blasts and indiscriminate illegal detention of the Muslim youths were commonplace. During the tenure of Shivraj Patil later another bloody episode happened and that was Batla House Encounter, the Govt. is still mum on this issue. Why Delhi Police killed some Azamgarh boys without proper evidence to link them with any terrorist activities remains unanswered. During this time some sections (RSS group) always jumped to conclusions in any case that “Muslims are terrorist”, our Vice Chancellor Prof.P.K.Abdul Azis, who is said to be the guardian of 30000 students of Aligarh Muslim University joined the same belief by agreeing with the fact that there may be chances that AL-QAIDA/TERRORISTS are linked with an incident of student violence at AMU. We all know at this moment CCTVs are installed at the hostels of only a single university i.e. our alma mater. Vice-Chancellor said in THE INDIAN EXPRESS on 18 April, 2010 “The initiative to upgrade security came from the Union Home Ministry “. The Vice-Chancellor sent a proposal to the Ministry for grant of Rs.10 crore and today we can see the unprecedented surveillance on AMU students worth crores of rupees. When we want books, we want hostels, we want better labs, better infrastructure, government cites lack of funds but everything was sanctioned in the name of “surveillance at AMU”. But why such interest by the Indian Government in the security of our University when they have been silent even after massive violence in other campuses?

In a TOP SECRET letter, the DM & SSP, Aligarh sent a letter to Chief Secretary(Home), UP Ministry( Copy sent to VC, AMU vide R. No 1771/VC dated 06.12.2007) with the subject SECURITY PROPOSALS AT AMU it was stated on page 2, “Jammu Kashmir & Tamil Nadu are such places where Separatist/Terrorist forces are at work, and student from such places study at AMU, therefore we can’t deny the possibility that in the disguise of students or as their relatives such forces may come to take shelter here”. The VICE-CHANCELLOR by remaining silent on this highly objectionable report and by installing CCTV here only fuelled to the oft-held belief that AMU students are terrorists. Why did he remained silent on such a report knowing that it maligns the image of our university and no one writes like this for any other university in India? And above all, as if the Vice-Chancellor sold all our interest to the same tainted Home Ministry under Shivraj Patil, he silently allowed the recording of the minutes of a meeting with the HRD Minister Arjun Singh on 29.10.07 wherein it states, “THE CHANCE OF TERRORISTS/ AL-QAIDA LINK ON THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE NEED TO BE EXAMINED AT DEPTH” and “ THE VISIT OF A PAKISTANI JOURNALIST AND HIS MEETING IN THE UNIVERSITY BE REPORTED WITH DETAILS”( Refer to a letter sent by P.K.Mishra, Director, Internal Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs to the DGP, UP and VICE-CHANCELLOR, AMU vide Ref. No I.11034/1/2007-IS-IV dated 17^th October, 2007). We the students of AMU, who dream for a secure future and for a life without threat at our campus wish to question the Vice-Chancellor on whether he knows the gravity of linking AL-QAIDA with AMU students? We the senior students see a possibility that tomorrow AMU students won’t get a single job anywhere with such allegations against them by their own Vice-Chancellor. We also feel that those meritorious students who wish to visit or study US/UK or other foreign countries will be debarred from entering such countries as we all know how the world hates the word AL-QAIDA. Why did our own Vice-Chancellor try to brand AMU as having links with AL-QAIDA inviting danger to all the 30000 students of our alma mater? Will he protect us when in the future when referring to this report, Police or Intelligence Bureau will pick up innocent Muslim students from AMU and let them face inhuman torture in illegal detention? The Answer is a BIG NO. We demand that Vice-Chancellor immediately seek unconditional public apology to the students, staff and Old Boys of Aligarh Muslim University for his grave mistake well published in media and dismantle the whole security infrastructure based on such highly objectionable report and inform the Centre that nothing of this sort can be thought of regarding our alma mater.

This Vice-Chancellor, besides linking an unfortunate incident at AMU with AL-QAIDA, has created an atmosphere where students are rendered voiceless and many of their grievances are demanding attention.

1. We reject Faculty-wise allotment of students in Halls- We demand that Vice-Chancellor stop such senseless allotment where senior and internal students are the worst sufferers. Students from all subjects earlier used to live together in a hostel where they grow a collective affection and inculcate general knowledge. By appointing teachers from the same faculty as Provost & Wardens Vice-Chancellor imposed a highly objectionable plan on us to suppress us by own teachers who give us marks in sessionals and viva.

2. End Dining Hall Corruption- Whereas the Dining Charge is Rs.710/month, some hostels charge Rs.300 as deficit and some Rs.20. With the same Aligarh market, with the same prices of food grains why such differences in the quality and cost of dining charges? You ask the reason! Be ready to get suspended or NRSC. Immediately end the culture of deficit and improve the quality of Dining Hall at AMU. End corruption there.

3. We demand Reduction of fees by 90%- During this Vice-Chancellor regime, the cost of every form has increased manifold unseen in the history of Aligarh Muslim University. The cost for the admission in the courses like BA/MA even doubled in this session. AMU authorities even charged for duplicate admit cards like never before. We the senior students are greatly concerned with such fee increase that has happened under a Vice-Chancellor who is known for his corruption. So we demand reduction of the existing fee structure by 90% which will benefit the poor students. We demand that AMU examination forms be sold at Rs.50 for all courses and draft/slip should be of Rs.50 like earlier.

4. We demand that the 200 year old Sulaiman Hall gate be opened immediately whose closure has caused great inconvenience for the library goers and above all the residents of Sulaiman Hall.

5. Even after allocation of 2692.61 lakhs for CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT by the UGC under XIth 5 year plan why is there no bike stand for the students which will cost merely 10 lakhs per Hall?

6. AMU off-campus centres won’t serve the interest of Muslims without reservation (Aligarh Campus has more Muslims for its historic character) and minority character and will erode the rich traditions and culture for which AMU is know from its residential character at Aligarh. We demand that decision for establishing Centres be taken back immediately and request Central Govt for full-fledged minority university in the backward regions.

7. We demand that Vice-Chancellor stop behaving callously to the cause of minority character by not sending its counsel for consecutive 3 hearings at the Supreme Court and remain focus to fight for it till we get it.

8. We demand that Moulana Azad Library be opened for 24 hours and allowed for +2 students so that meritorious students can get the benefit of better academic ambiance. We also demand that Canteen facility be provided of international quality in most of the halls and that a Central Students Canteen be opened 24 hours.

9. We demand that District Administration/Police should be kept out of the campus except in emergency situation with serious violence. We strongly reject their vigilance upon us and meddling in the day to day affairs.

10. We strongly demand campus wide wi-fi facility immediately as promised by the Vice-Chancellor back in 2008 or by room wise free internet through cable points as in IITs and others university hostels.

11. We strongly demand that the scholarship process be made transparent and published on AMU’s official website and AMU announces many more Scholarship schemes for needy and meritorious students.

12. AMU administration is known for its draconian crackdown on the students who do not get proper opportunity to defend themselves before the Disciplinary Committee. We strongly demand students’ representation in the Disciplinary Committee and balance in defending and prosecuting team.

13. We strongly demand that the Students Grievance Redressal Committee be immediately abolished because it’s defunct, has no statutory validity like AMU Court and Academic Council where already student should be present, and because its members are the puppets of University Administration as they are selected not elected.

The time has come that we all students should fight tooth and nail to save our image from such grave accusations like AL-QAIDA and get our valid demands fulfilled. Be Ready!