Supreme Court Says AMU Minority Status to Continue! Check Benefits Aligarh Muslim University Gets Due to THIS

Aligarh Muslim University: The Supreme Court of India has upheld Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) minority status with a close 4:3 majority, reaffirming the institution’s protections under Article 30 of the Constitution. However, the court has also taken a significant step by forming a three-judge bench tasked with re-evaluating and potentially redefining the criteria for granting minority status to educational institutions across India.

Historical Background of AMU’s Foundation and Legal Journey

AMU’s journey as a minority institution has deep roots, tracing back to 1875, when it was established as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, aimed primarily at serving the Muslim community. The college became a university in 1920 under the Aligarh Muslim University Act, but its minority character faced its first significant test with the 1951 amendment, which removed religious instruction as a compulsory part of its curriculum. This change was further cemented in 1967, when the Supreme Court ruled in the S. Azeez Basha case that AMU could not hold minority status as a central university.

A subsequent amendment in 1981 attempted to restore AMU’s minority status, but legal challenges continued, leading to the Allahabad High Court’s 2006 verdict that struck down the amendment. Now, after years of legal wrangling, the Supreme Court’s decision brings renewed clarity to AMU’s status, allowing it to operate with protections that come with being a minority institution.

Benefits Aligarh Muslim University Receives from Minority Status

AMU’s minority status enables it to exercise autonomy in several significant ways, impacting admissions, faculty composition, and curricular offerings. These benefits underscore why the status is so critical for AMU and its stakeholders:

1. Admissions Preferences for Muslim Students: As a minority institution, AMU can reserve seats specifically for Muslim students, aligning with its original mission of serving the Muslim community. This preferential admissions policy allows AMU to support and uplift students from the community, ensuring that the institution remains a nurturing ground for Muslim education and leadership.
2. Control Over Faculty AppointmentsMinority status also gives AMU greater freedom in recruiting faculty members who resonate with the cultural and educational goals of the university. This autonomy ensures that AMU’s teaching staff can help maintain a culturally relevant environment, which supporters believe enriches the student experience.
3. Curriculum Tailoring and Cultural Preservation: Retaining minority status allows AMU to offer programs and courses that reflect its cultural and religious heritage. This ability to customize its curriculum helps AMU preserve the traditions and values ​​that have defined it for over a century, differentiating it from other central universities.
4. Funding and Government Aid: While AMU receives substantial funding from the central government, minority status may help protect certain grants and financial aid specifically directed at preserving minority educational institutions. Between 2019 and 2023, AMU reportedly received over Rs 5,000 crore in funding, a level of support that emphasizes its recognized importance but has also fueled debates about its national versus minority character.

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