AMU`s minority status is crucial as it will reflect how Muslims are treated in India, says vice-chancellor

The government has recently announced to withdraw support to the institute, but Shah said that he is not `unduly worried` about that.

Lucknow: The Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Zameer Uddin Shah has said that the minority character of the famed institute is important because it will reflect who the Muslims in India are being treated.

The government has recently submitted its affidavit withdrawing support to the institute, but Shah said he is not “unduly worried” about that.

“Let me tell you that it all depends on our ability to convince the court....of our rightful place in India as a minority institution,” he told India Today in an interview.

“Last time when we had the backing of the government we lost the case in the Allahabad High Court. This time we don't have its backing but we are going to win the case, I assure you on this,” he told the reporter.

Asked why the minority character is important for the institute, he said, “The minority character is important because the way the Aligarh Muslim University is going to be treated, will reflect how the Muslims of India are being treated.”

“It is in style and substance that the treatment meted out to Aligarh University will reflect the treatment that is going to be meted out to the Muslims of India. That's very important and that is why we are fighting for it,” Shah said.

Explaining how a centrally-aided institute can have a minority status, Shah said, “Nothing debars government from funding a minority institute. After all, so many of these universities are funded by the government.”