AMU Committee meets P K Shahi, The Bihar HRD Minister softens his stand

New Delhi, November 3, 2011: Anyone for AMU, Anytime for AMU, Anywhere for AMU or in short, Anything for AMU with this motive AMU Centre Co-ordination Committee is working for past one and half years to resolve the issue of proposed AMU Centre in Kishanganj. Continuing its effort the AMU Centre Co-ordination Committee Delhi today (November 3, 2011) met with the Bihar HRD (Human Resource & Development) Minister P K Shahi just a couple of hours before his scheduled meeting with Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal in New Delhi.

AMU Committee handing over the Memorandum to Mr. Shahi

A team of AMU Committee led by Co-ordinator Mohammad Aslam reached Bihar Bhawan at 1.00 PM to meet the high rank minister of Bihar Government. Other members were Kaifee Anwer, Mahfooz Alam, Minnat Rahmani, Tauqir Alam and Abrar Rahi. In fact, AMU Co-ordination Committee was following Mr. Shahi since the publishing of report about his meeting with Mr. Sibal in Patna Edition of Times of India a week ago. The core team of AMU Committee especially Minnat Rahmani tried all possible resources to get an hour’s time from the busy schedule of HRD Minister of Bihar.

P K Shahi had given his nod about to meet the AMU Committee on November 2, 2011 at around 7.30 pm through SMS. The team co-ordinated with P K Shahi after his arrival to New Delhi and meeting was fixed at Bihar Bhawan, Kautilya Marg in New Delhi at 1 PM. The team reached the venue on time and discussed the issues and reasons behind delay of AMU Centre in Kishanganj. Along with, Mohammad Aslam other members also shared the facts and thoughts (stand) of AMU VC on this issue and his denial to accept the land.

Shahi presenting his view before Co-ordinator Mohd. Aslam and team

Initially, P K Shahi openly blamed the Centre Government and AMU VC P K Abdul Azis for delaying the proposed centre in Kishanganj, Bihar. The HRD Minister of Bihar said that he would ask Mr. Sibal questions like 1). Is the Central Government really concerned about the AMU Centre in Kishanganj? 2). The current AMU VC retain the power to approve the Centre or not, as he is going to retire in next three months? Mr. Shahi was not ready to give any clean chit to AMU VC and Centre, in fact, he was not even ready to proceed further to have any talk with current AMU VC. He was alleging the VC as a conspirator and working under the influence of some force working behind the curtain.

He made it clear that Bihar Government himself wish to grab such opportunity and establish AMU Special Centre. This is going to improve our acceptance among Muslim minority, so we are not fool to miss this opportunity and neglect such issues, said Shahi. However, as of now it is very difficult for us to offer the land by acquiring from the public to AMU VC for establishment of AMU Centre in Kishanganj, Mr. Shahi mentioned it during talks.

Later on, the AMU Co-ordination team got success in presenting the facts in well manner before Mr. Shahi. After listening to the members of AMU Co-ordination Committee Mr. Shahi changed his stood and softened his tone as well. He said, the only problem is the ardent stand of AMU VC about the land and his repeated denial to accept the land. We are going to offer him a Contiguous land measuring around 250 acres in Kishanganj. If AMU VC would accept the new proposal, I would heartily welcome him to Patna and Kishanganj to sign the MOU.

AMU Centre Co-ordination Committee had submitted a Memorandum to Mr. Shahi and requested to resolve the issue on immediate basis keeping in mind the interest of educationally and economically backward state of Bihar. The Memorandum also said that the committee is always ready to facilitate the process of establishment of AMU Centre in Kishanganj. The committee made it clear that is works for the cause of AMU without any type of political inclination and if the Bihar Government wishes it can work as a facilitator between the Government and AMU VC.