Critics argue that Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Iqbal Hussain’s proposal appears to be driven by political and personal interests.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Jamia Millia Islamia, one of India’s premier educational institutions, is embroiled in a spirited debate as Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Iqbal Hussain contemplates naming the university’s planned medical college after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move has sparked varied reactions, raising questions about the intersection of politics and academia.
Prof Hussain defended the proposal, claiming that there was nothing inherently wrong with naming the medical college after a sitting prime minister. Drawing parallels with Aligarh Muslim University, which honoured former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru by naming its medical college after him, Prof Hussain argued that Jamia Millia Islamia should have its own “Narendra Modi Medical College.”
However, he clarified that approval for the medical college currently only exists on paper, lacking concrete funding or physical establishment on the ground. Despite this, Prof Hussain asserted that historical ties of Jamia Millia Islamia with the country’s freedom struggle and its progress warrant the establishment of a medical college.
He emphasised the university’s association with Mahatma Gandhi and expressed optimism about the potential benefits for the country and the community if a medical college is established in the name of Prime Minister Modi.
The Acting Vice Chancellor’s announcement has not been well-received within the university community. Critics argue that the move appears to be driven by political and personal interests.
Khalid Saifullah, president of the SIO (Student Islamic Organisation) Jamia Unit, condemned the decision, stating that university departments and centres should be named after founders, steering clear of political considerations.
Talking to Clarion India, Saifullah highlighted the Jamia tradition of typically naming its buildings named after freedom fighters or those who have served the institution. He said the proposed medical college could be named after figures like Hakeem Ajmal Khan and Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, both known for their outstanding contributions in the medical field.
Prominent historian and a Jamia alumnus, Dr. Faizan Shahid, criticised the Vice Chancellor’s proposal. Talking to Clarion India, he suggested that the medical college should be named after Hakeem Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, citing Ansari’s significant sacrifices and humanitarian efforts during the Balkan War in 1912.
Dr. Shahid recounted Ansari’s leadership of an Indian medical mission in Turkey, establishing field hospitals and winning acclaim from the Turkish people. He argued against naming a college after a political figure, urging recognition for Ansari’s exceptional contributions in the medical field.
The ongoing controversy raises fundamental questions about the naming conventions at academic institutions, prompting a broader discussion on the balance between political considerations and the historical contributions of individuals associated with the university. As the debate intensifies, it remains to be seen how the administration will address the diverse perspectives within the university community.
