Srinagar, Aug 04 (KNO): The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) on Tuesday expressed concern over recent developments affecting Muslim students and educational institutions, including the proposed demolition of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh, and urged authorities to ensure that education remains above politics, prejudice and communal considerations.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest amalgam of religious, educational and social organisations in Jammu and Kashmir headed by Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, expressed serious concern over recent developments affecting Muslim students and educational institutions, particularly the threat of large-scale demolition facing Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur.
The spokesperson said reports of the proposed demolition of 38 out of 40 buildings of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, where nearly 3,000 students are pursuing their education, are deeply disturbing. While the demolition order has reportedly received interim relief, the continuing uncertainty over the future of the institution remains a matter of grave concern.
“Kashmiri students studying at the university approached the MMU regarding the matter, which directly affects them, their future and the families who send them outside the Union Territory for education,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the MMU maintained that whatever legal or regulatory violations may be alleged against an institution, there are established legal and administrative mechanisms to address them. The future of thousands of innocent students cannot be bulldozed along with university buildings. Students have no role in such disputes and must not be made to pay the price for them.
Referring to the recent closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Jammu, the spokesperson said it disrupted the studies of students and created uncertainty about their future. The MMU said the circumstances surrounding the closure, particularly after the controversy over the admission of a large number of Muslim students to the medical college, have raised serious concerns among the Muslim community that students are increasingly being made to suffer because of their religious identity.
“Whether it is a Muslim-run university facing demolition or Muslim students finding their professional education suddenly disrupted, the consequences ultimately fall upon young students whose only aspiration is to study, qualify and build their future,” the MMU said.
The spokesperson said the Majlis urged the authorities concerned to ensure that no student is denied or deprived of educational opportunities on account of religion, identity or political considerations. Any deficiencies, disputes or alleged violations concerning educational institutions must be addressed transparently, but with compassion and concern, so as not to jeopardise the education and careers of innocent students.
“Education must remain above politics, prejudice and communal considerations,” the MMU said, urging the authorities to safeguard the academic future of all affected students and ensure that educational opportunities remain equally and fairly accessible to every community.
The spokesperson said Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama Jammu and Kashmir includes Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Mufti Azam’s Muslim Personal Law Board, Darul Uloom Rahimiyah, Anjuman Shariee Shian, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Jamia Sabeel-ul-Huda Bemina Srinagar, Anjuman Tabligh-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdania, Anjuman Ulama-e-Ahnaf, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Markazi Rabita Aima Masajid Jammu and Kashmir, Jamiat-ul-Aima wal Ulama, Anjuman Aima wa Mashayekh Kashmir, Darul Uloom Naqshbandiya, Darul Uloom Rashidiya, Ahlul Bait Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Idara Gousia Saraibala, Kahkah-i-Hyderia Aishmuqam, Pirwan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamia Khiram Sirhama, Bazm-e-Tauheed Ahle Hadith Trust, Anjuman Tanzeem-ul-Makatib, Muhammadi Yateem Trust, Anjuman Anwar-ul-Islam, Karwan Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, Darul Uloom Syed-ul-Mursaleen, Anjuman Ulama wa Aima Masajid, Madrasa Zia-ul-Uloom Poonch, Falah-e-Darain Trust Welfare Society Islamabad, Ashraf-ul-Uloom Hyderpora, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Batamaloo, Darul Uloom Furqaniya Nowshera, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Khanyar, Jamiat-ul-Ulama, Siraj-ul-Uloom, Idara Wahdat-ul-Makatib, Darul Uloom Imdadiya Natipora, Darul Uloom Jamia-tur-Rashad Awantipora, Khanqah Muradiya Jamia Masjid Kreeri, Darul Uloom Saut-ul-Quran Gulshanabad, Awami Rahat Center, Imamia Federation Kashmir, Alnoor Trust Bemina, Shaheen Syndicate Social Trust, Jamiat Ulema Wa Aima Masajid Jammu and Kashmir, Darul Uloom Syed-ul-Mursaleen Kulgam, Darul Uloom Siraj-ul-Huda Reasi, Jamea Markaz-ul-Ma’arif Bhatindi Jammu, Madrasa Imdad-ul-Islam Rehmat Abad Kishtwar, Madrasa Inaam-ul-Uloom Doda, Jamia Mahmoodia Mendhar, Jamiat-ul-Mominat Mendhar, Jamia Anwar-ul-Quran Poonch, Darul Uloom Miftah-ul-Madaris Kulgam, Madrasa Jamia Muhammadiya Dachan Kishtwar and other contemporary religious, milli, social and educational institutions.—(KNO)