Jamia will oppose Centre's move on minority status

New Delhi: The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University will file its objections to the Centre’s affidavit opposing minority status to the university. The institute also said in-depth interpretation of Article 30 of Constitution of India is required. 

In a departure from the former UPA government’s stand in the court, the Centre has opposed the minority status granted to the university and filed a revised affidavit challenging the National Commission for Minority Educational Institution’s  (NCMEI) decision. 

“Since Union ministry of HRD is relying on Aziz Basha’s case disputing that Jamia Millia Islamia is not established and administered by the minority, but by an act of Parliament, it requires an in-depth interpretation of Article 30 of the Constitution of India which gives the minority rights to establish and administer an institution of its own choice, which has been settled by a plethora of cases decided by the Supreme Court,” according to a statement issued by the JMI.  

The institute also said that the court record shows that advance notice of this affidavit along with the application was served only to the petitioner’s lawyer and other  respondents were not served any advance notice by the Delhi high court, “contrary to rules”. 

A total of five writ petitions were filed by different persons in 2011 challenging the minority status of the JMI wherein not only the university administration, but different groups associated with the university have been made respondents.

“The JMI will file its objections to the revised affidavit in accordance with due process of law. The affidavit filed by the Central government in the high court will be taken up during the main hearing. The matter is listed under the category of ‘regular hearing” which may be taken up by the chief justice’s bench in the near future,” as per the statement. 

The matter will be defended by the respondents as and when it is taken up by the high court,” it added.