Closure of Foundation, Established in Honor of Freedom Fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Raises Questions Amid Lack of Explanation
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has issued a controversial order to close down the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), a move that has sent shockwaves through the educational landscape, particularly concerning the growth of Muslim education in India.
Established in 1988 on the birth centenary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of India and a prominent freedom fighter, MAEF has played a pivotal role in advancing educational opportunities for minority communities. However, the recent order, issued by minority ministry’s under-secretary Dhiraj Kumar on February 7, has left stakeholders puzzled, as it provides no clear rationale for the foundation’s closure.
Maulana Azad’s legacy as a visionary leader who championed education is undeniable. Under his guidance, groundbreaking institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) were established, ushering in a new era of progress in technical and medical fields across India.
The decision to shutter MAEF appears to stem from a proposal put forth by the Central Waqf Council (CWC), an entity under the minority ministry tasked with overseeing educational programs for minorities. Despite its voluntary and non-profit nature, MAEF has been instrumental in providing grant-in-aid to improve infrastructure facilities at educational institutions catering to minorities, particularly Muslim communities facing funding disparities compared to other religious minorities like Christians, Jains, and Sikhs.
The foundation’s initiatives, including the Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Training Scheme and the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship scheme, have significantly contributed to enhancing employment opportunities and supporting academic achievement among minority youths, particularly girls.
However, with the closure of MAEF, these vital programs face an uncertain future, leaving many beneficiaries in limbo. Additionally, the termination of forty-three contractual employees further underscores the human cost of this decision.
Financially, MAEF’s closure raises questions about the management of its substantial funds. As of November 30, 2023, the foundation possessed assets totaling Rs. 1073.26 crore, with liabilities amounting to Rs. 403.55 crore, leaving a balance of Rs. 669.71 crores. The MoMA has directed the transfer of this surplus to the Consolidated Fund of India, with a portion allocated to the National Minority Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) to address pending claims and liabilities.
In a bid to streamline the closure process, MAEF has been instructed to transfer its fixed assets, including land and buildings, to the Central Waqf Council, while its existing manpower, both regular and contractual employees, will come under the administrative control of the CWC. Despite assurances of continued employment under existing terms and conditions, the termination of contractual employees remains a contentious issue, subject to legal proceedings.
As stakeholders grapple with the implications of MAEF’s closure, concerns linger about the broader impact on minority education and the fulfillment of Maulana Azad’s vision for an inclusive and equitable educational landscape in India. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has called upon MAEF to expedite the closure process and submit the requisite documentation, signaling the end of an era for a foundation that once stood as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities.
