V-Cs laud staff and students as the country’s premier universities continue to excel in 2024 NIRF ranking
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The recently released National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 has brought to light the significant achievements of the country’s leading Muslim universities, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), which have secured high positions in the higher education category. However, these academic successes are juxtaposed against a backdrop of rising Islamophobic rhetoric, with prominent Hindu leaders making controversial statements that have sparked concern within the Muslim community.
Jamia Millia Islamia has once again demonstrated its academic excellence by securing the third position in the NIRF university rankings, marking the third consecutive year it has remained in the top three bracket. Officiating JMI Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammad Shakeel, praised the university community for its dedication and hard work. “We are extremely happy to retain the 3rd position for the third consecutive year in NIRF. The credit goes to the hard work of teachers and the discipline of our students,” he said, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining such a high ranking.
Aligarh Muslim University has also performed exceptionally well, securing the eighth position in the NIRF rankings. AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Naima Khatoon, expressed her pride in the university’s improved ranking. “This is the result of the tireless efforts and hard work of all sections of the university fraternity, which helped the institution move upwards among the best universities in the country,” she stated, highlighting the university’s commitment to excellence.
While these achievements showcase the contributions of Muslim institutions to the country’s education, they come at a time when the Muslim community is increasingly under attack from various quarters. The Goa unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) recently voiced concerns over the growing number of Muslim voters in the state. Goa RSS chief Rajendra Bhobe urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to avoid treating Muslims as a vote bank, implying that the increase in Muslim voters could influence electoral outcomes. “They have come to work and let them vote in their respective villages. If their vote share increases, it is likely to impact the results,” Bhobe said during a rally, where he also raised alarmist concerns about the potential formation of “another Pakistan” within India if Hindu inaction continues.
Such statements have been met with criticism and concern from Muslim leaders and communities, who see them as part of a broader pattern of Islamophobic behaviour and rhetoric. The rising tensions underscore the challenges faced by Muslims in India, who are contributing significantly to the nation’s educational and cultural landscape while also contending with increasing hostility and discrimination.
The successes of Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University in the NIRF 2024 rankings highlight the vital role that Muslim institutions play in India’s education system. Both universities have long been pillars of learning, fostering intellectual growth and producing leaders who have made significant impacts across various fields. Established in 1920 and 1875 respectively, JMI and AMU have advanced education among the Muslim community and beyond, becoming important centres of learning for students of all backgrounds.
Muslim scholars and educators from these institutions have shaped modern Indian education, promoting values of knowledge, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Their consistently high rankings are a testament to their ongoing relevance and influence in the higher education sector, even as the community faces growing challenges.
