Respected Vice-Chancellor,
Jamia Millia Islamia,
New Delhi
I, a former student of Jamia Millia Islamia, am writing this letter with utmost respect and humility. I am currently pursuing higher education at Swansea University, a prestigious and historic institution in the United Kingdom. However, my heart and soul remain deeply connected to the bricks and stones of Jamia Millia Islamia. For me, this institution is not merely an educational centre but the fountainhead of my intellectual, ideological, spiritual, and moral upbringing. My identity is tied to the soil of Jamia, my thoughts have been illuminated by its ideals, and my resolve has been strengthened by the sacrifices of its great teachers and students.
A few days ago, I learned through media reports that under your leadership, Jamia Millia Islamia is considering relinquishing its constitutional minority character. This news struck me with profound shock and grief, as though an integral part of my being had been taken away. This pain is not mine alone but is shared by thousands of former students, teachers, and those who hold Jamia dear—those who have dedicated precious years of their lives to safeguarding the institution’s ideological identity, minority status, and historical legacy.
Respected Sir, Jamia Millia Islamia is not an ordinary educational institution; it is a living and eternal chapter of India’s freedom struggle. Its foundation was laid in 1920 when India was shackled under British colonial rule. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Dr Zakir Hussain, and other great leaders established this institution on the principles of nationalism, self-respect, love for knowledge, and the educational empowerment of minorities.
This was a time when Muslims, Hindus, and other communities in India were united in their struggle against British domination. During the Khilafat Movement (1919–1924), when Indian Muslims rose in support of the Ottoman Caliphate and against British imperialism, some students and teachers of Aligarh Muslim University refused to submit to the British educational system. They believed it was contrary to Indian values, Islamic civilisation, and the spirit of freedom. It was this spirit that gave birth to Jamia Millia Islamia. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar famously said, “The purpose of our education is not merely to secure jobs but to build a generation that stands for its freedom, its rights, and its civilisation.”
Jamia was not built with mere bricks and mortar but with blood, sweat, and sincerity. In its early days, it faced severe financial constraints. Muslim teachers forwent their salaries, and Muslim students contributed from their pocket money to keep the institution running. Dr Zakir Hussain, who later became President of India, supported Jamia with his personal income. Hakim Ajmal Khan dedicated his medical expertise and social influence to stabilising the institution. These sacrifices are not mere stories; they are the soul of my alma mater.
Jamia’s initial struggles began in the context of the Khilafat Movement, which was a significant part of India’s freedom struggle. The institution became a centre not only for education but also for character-building, national consciousness, and the preservation of cultural values. In 1925, when Jamia was relocated from Aligarh to Delhi, it faced new challenges. However, the dedication of its founders and the hard work of its students transformed it into a robust institution.
Honourable Vice-Chancellor Sahib, Jamia Millia Islamia’s minority status is not a trivial matter. It is a right earned through prolonged legal, social, and intellectual struggle. In 1962, when Jamia was granted university status, its minority character was not recognised. This decision compelled Jamia students, teachers, and alumni to launch a new movement.
In 1988, organised efforts to restore Jamia’s minority status began under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act. This struggle was not limited to Jamia’s internal community; secular intellectuals, community leaders, and justice-oriented groups also extended their support. Students protested on the streets, fought legal battles, endured police lathi charges, and risked their academic careers. In 2006, when legal challenges to Jamia’s minority status emerged, students marched on the streets of Delhi and raised their voices in courtrooms.
Finally, in 2011, the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions declared Jamia a minority institution. This was not merely a judicial victory—it was a triumph of the collective consciousness, spirit, and resolve of the Muslim community. Article 30 of the Indian Constitution grants minorities the right to establish and administer their educational institutions. This right is not a favour but a fundamental constitutional guarantee that protects India’s multicultural identity.
To understand the significance of Article 30, we must look at India’s constitutional history. In 1950, when the Indian Constitution came into effect, it provided special protections for minority rights. This was due to India’s diverse society, where various religious, linguistic, and cultural groups coexist with their unique identities. Article 30 is a pillar of this diversity. Jamia’s minority status is a practical manifestation of this article, granting it the right to prioritize the interests of minority students in admissions, curriculum, and administrative decisions.
Respected Vice-Chancellor Sahib, it is deeply regrettable that today, the leadership of Jamia, which should be the guardian of this historical legacy, is considering weakening its minority character. Is it not a tragedy that we ourselves are shaking the ideological foundations of the institution we are duty-bound to protect?
The sons of Jamia have made great sacrifices to restore its minority character, not only for this cause but also by consistently raising their voices against every injustice. The CAA-NRC protests are recent examples. Jamia’s students have always played their role in challenging times. After the partition of 1947, when tensions between India and Pakistan were at their peak, Jamia set an example of Hindu-Muslim unity. In the 1970s, when the Emergency weakened democratic institutions, Jamia students spoke out against authoritarianism. As a student of history and journalism, I have studied and witnessed how our predecessors kept the nation’s hopes alive in every era. Today, when Jamia’s minority character is at stake, it is our collective responsibility to protect it.
Honourable Sir, history teaches us that when leadership deviates from the interests of its community, the consequences are catastrophic. A few historical examples bear witness to this:
• The Battle of Plassey (1757): Mir Jafar conspired with the British against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah, leading to Bengal’s enslavement under British rule. Today, Mir Jafar’s name is synonymous with betrayal. His story reminds us that betraying the nation for personal gain always leads to disgrace.
• The Battle of Seringapatam (1799): Mir Sadiq betrayed Tipu Sultan, resulting in the destruction of the Mysore Sultanate. The story of Tipu Sultan’s bravery and Mir Sadiq’s treachery is a lesson for every Indian.
• Norway (1940): During World War II, Norwegian politician Quisling collaborated with Nazi Germany, selling out his nation. His name is now a synonym for traitor. Quisling’s story teaches us that those who prioritise personal interests over national interests end up in the dustbin of history.
• Recent Afghan History: Over the past few decades, several educated Afghan leaders betrayed their nation for foreign interests. The result? Instability, civil war, and devastation. Afghanistan’s history reminds us that leadership is not just about power but about safeguarding a nation’s honour and dignity.
These examples remind us that loyalty to the nation is not only demonstrated on the battlefield but in every moment of writing, thinking, and decision-making. As the Vice-Chancellor of a minority institution, it is your responsibility to protect this trust, not to sacrifice it for expediency or personal gain.
Vice-Chancellor Sahib, the importance of minority educational institutions is not limited to India but is recognised globally. Around the world, minority institutions serve as a means of preserving the cultural, religious, and educational identity of their communities. For example:
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States: These institutions provide educational opportunities and preserve the cultural identity of the African-American community. For instance, Howard University and Morehouse College have produced leaders in education, politics, and social justice. The success of HBCUs proves that minority institutions are a vital tool for social progress.
• First Nations Universities in Canada: These institutions work to preserve the languages, cultures, and traditions of indigenous communities. The First Nations University of Canada has provided higher education opportunities to indigenous students and strengthened their cultural identity.
• Jewish Educational Institutions in Europe: In several European countries, Jewish communities have preserved their identity and history through educational institutions. Universities in Poland and Germany have played a significant role in reviving Jewish culture post-Holocaust.
Jamia Millia Islamia is a beacon of hope for India’s Muslims and other minorities. Its minority character allows it to prioritise the interests of minority students in admissions, curriculum, and administrative decisions. If this status is lost, Jamia will lose its unique identity and become just another university. As a journalist, I have seen how minority institutions open doors of educational opportunity for marginalised communities. Jamia’s minority character is part of this mission.
If Jamia’s minority character is weakened or abolished, the consequences will not be limited to Jamia but will affect the entire nation. Some key impacts include:
• Reduction in Educational Opportunities: Under its minority status, Jamia has the right to reserve 50% of its seats for minority students. If this status is revoked, access to higher education for students from poor and marginalised communities will be curtailed. For example, hundreds of underprivileged students enroll in Jamia’s journalism department each year, an opportunity they would lose without the minority quota.
• Impact on Scholarships and Financial Aid: Special scholarships and financial aid available to minority institutions will be affected. Thousands of students benefit from the National Minority Scholarship Scheme, which could be at risk without Jamia’s minority status.
• Erosion of Cultural Identity: Jamia embodies a blend of Islamic civilisation and Indian values. Its minority character allows it to preserve this cultural identity. Its loss would blur this identity, endangering Jamia’s unique cultural heritage.
• Impact on Social Justice: Minority institutions promote the principles of social justice and equality. The loss of Jamia’s minority character would weaken these principles, increasing the risk of discrimination against minority communities.
As a student of history, I have seen how educational policies profoundly impact society. The loss of Jamia’s minority character would not only affect students but also strike a blow to India’s multicultural identity. Do you want Jamia to fall victim to this historic tragedy under your leadership? Do you want future generations to hold you accountable for this decision?
Respected Vice-Chancellor Sahib, you are an educated and discerning individual. It was not expected that you would hurt the trust of the community. Your position is not merely an administrative post but a trust. The decisions made from your chair are not just recorded on paper but shape the destiny of nations.
History tells us that great leaders are those who stand with their community in difficult times. Mahatma Gandhi chose the path of satyagraha despite British oppression. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad never abandoned the struggle for education and freedom. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison but never compromised on his principles. I urge you to carry forward this tradition.
Jamia’s minority character is not a gift from any government but a right earned through the blood and tears of the community. Have you forgotten that in 2019, the police stormed Jamia, entered hostels, and beat students? Do you remember that many young people sacrificed their lives? Have you not heard the pleas of those elders who, despite the martyrdom of their children, remained loyal to Jamia? Have all those sacrifices become meaningless?
When Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar laid the foundation of Jamia, he envisioned a generation that would live with knowledge, honour, and freedom. He said, “Our struggle is not just to build structures but to build character.” Today, it is our collective responsibility to keep that dream alive.
Jamia’s students have always played their role in challenging times. During the Khilafat Movement of 1920, the post-partition era of 1947, the Emergency of 1975-77, and the CAA protests of 2019, Jamia’s students raised their voices for the nation. As a journalist, I covered these movements and saw how Jamia students stood firm on their principles, risking their lives. Today, we expect you to protect that same spirit.
Jamia Millia Islamia is not only unique in India but also on a global stage. Its minority status connects it to global minority institutions with a shared mission: to protect the identity, education, and progress of their communities. Jamia has represented not only Indian minorities but also Islamic civilisation and multicultural values globally. For example, Jamia’s journalism department has trained students not only from India but also from Asia and the Middle East, who are now making their mark in global media.
India’s Constitution provides a robust framework for protecting minority rights. Article 30 grants minorities the right to establish and administer their educational institutions. This right is a cornerstone of India’s multicultural identity. The Supreme Court has recognised the importance of this right in several judgments, such as TMA Pai Foundation vs. State of Karnataka (2002) and PA Inamdar vs. State of Maharashtra (2005). These rulings clearly state that minority institutions are entitled to preserve their identity and maintain administrative autonomy.
Jamia’s minority status is part of this constitutional framework. Weakening it would not only harm Jamia but also attack India’s constitutional principles. As a journalist, I have seen how legal struggles have protected minority institutions. Jamia’s minority status is the result of such a struggle, and any attempt to abolish it would be an insult to that effort.
On behalf of many of Jamia’s alumni, colleagues, teachers, and well-wishers, I make the following requests:
1. Prioritise Jamia’s Minority Character: Consider it your foremost responsibility and do not sacrifice it under any pressure or expediency.
2. Defend Jamia in the Supreme Court: Robustly and fearlessly defend Jamia’s interests in the Supreme Court. Engage the best legal experts.
3. Involve Stakeholders in Decisions: Take students, teachers, alumni, and community organisations into confidence in Jamia’s decisions. Ensure no decision is made in secrecy.
4. Beware of Conspiracies: Be vigilant of elements conspiring to weaken Jamia. Identify them and thwart their designs.
5. Prove Your Commitment: Demonstrate through your decisions that you are a guardian of Jamia’s greatness.
Respected Vice-Chancellor Sahib, history is unforgiving. It never pardons those who betray the trust of their nation. But it always honours those who stand for truth and justice in difficult times.
You have two paths before you:
1. Protect Jamia’s minority character, restore its greatness, and be remembered in history as a great leader.
2. Succumb to pressure, damage Jamia’s ideological identity, and be recorded in history as a figure who shattered the nation’s hopes.
We hope you will choose the first path.
Honourable Sir, this letter is not a criticism or the result of personal grievance. It is the voice of a pained heart. It is the plea of a former student. It is the anguish of a community that considers Jamia its identity.
I urge you not to see this letter as criticism but as goodwill, sincerity, and the call of a loyal friend. I pray that Almighty Allah grants you courage, wisdom, and strength to restore Jamia’s greatness and give it the status it deserves.
Jamia Millia Islamia is an ideology, a movement, and a dream. It is a symbol of Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar’s sacrifices. It is a monument to Hakim Ajmal Khan’s sincerity. It is a testament to Dr Zakir Hussain’s dedication. It is the fruit of the struggles of thousands of students who sacrificed everything for it. We hope you will protect this dream.
The betrayal of the pen is more lethal than the sword. History remembers those who preserve the dignity of their nation. Your decisions will either make you a great leader or a tragic chapter. We pray that you restore Jamia’s greatness.
Your humble servant,
Mohammad Alamullah
Former student, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Currently studying at Swansea University, United Kingdom
