UP CM raises questions over AMU''s reservation policy; varsity says it''s transparent

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, June 25

A day after Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Yogi Adityanath raised question of reservation for Dalits in Aligarh Muslim University, the varsity has clarified that its reservation policy was "clear and applicable across board, including Dalits".

Speaking at a public function in Kannauj on Sunday, CM Yogi had said if Banaras Hindu University (BHU) can provide reservation to Dalits then why not AMU or Jamia Milia Islamia. He had said this question should be raised to all those who say that Dalits are being humiliated.

Officials at the AMU pointed out that the varsity had only one  reservation policy - internal and external students. "Every caste and community who has studied in the university till class 12th is considered an internal student eligible for 50 per cent reservation in all university courses," clarified AMU in-charge of Public Relations, M Shafey Kidwai.

Officials said any student who has finished schooling from AMU becomes eligible for 50 per cent reservation in all AMU courses except medicine which is now under NEET. 

This is the reason why around 35,000 students take the admission test for class 11 admission from across the country for the barely 2,400 seats available. Once you are a student of AMU you automatically are eligible for reservation, explained Kidwai. 

"Another case relating to the university's minority admission policy is subjudice and is now before the Supreme Court so I would not like to comment on it," Kidwai said.

Recalling the episode, Kidwai said retired IAS officer and former Vice-Chancellor Naseem Ahmad has proposed some seats for Muslim candidates in the MS and MD admission which had been challenged in the Allahabad High Court in 2006 and the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court.