Yogi questioned Dalits reservation in minority institutions

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stirred a controversy by questioning why were Dalits denied reservation in minority institutions like Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, terming the practice as violative of constitutional norms. “If Dalits can get reservation in Central university like Benaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, why are they denied this facility in AMU and Jamai Millia. I appeal to all those voicing concern for Dalits to raise the issue,” Yogi said said at a public meeting in Kannauj on Sunday.

While the question is sub-judice, its timing has pushed all political parties into a mute mode. This seems to be a well-thought out move to break the Dalit-Muslim combine which some parties like Congress, BSP and SP are trying to build in UP. Meanwhile, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) officials on Monday, refused to respond to Yogi Adityanath’s demand, saying that the admission policy was being discussed in Supreme Court and the varisty did not have reservations of any kind. “Because our admission policy is being discussed in Supreme Court, the matter is sub judice so we cannot make a comment. But we want to make it clear that we do not have reservations of any kind. The only reservation, if to say, is we give 50 per cent to our internal students no matter to what religion he belongs. No other reservation is there,”  a senior AMY faculty member said.

The Jamia Millia Islamia Universty also refused to comment on the UP Chief Minister’s statement and said that they have their rules to follow.

“We will not comment just because some politician has proposed something. The fact is that we have our own statutes to follow. We are a Central university and we will look towards HRD ministry for direction and not be guided by any politician”, a JMI spokesman said. On the other hand, no political party was ready to comment on the issue and they asked their spokesperson to avoid making any reaction on the matter.

A Samajwadi Party leader said that they have been instructed not to say anything on the matter. Besides, as Congress dissolved their media committee recently, hence, only state president Raj Babbar could comment on the matter, who is not present in Lucknow.