After a joint statement by leaders of eight political parties, the Opposition is gearing up to reach out to the allies of the ruling NDA on the issue of the purported move to strip the minority status
After a joint statement by leaders of eight political parties, the Opposition is gearing up to reach out to the allies of the ruling NDA on the issue of the purported move to strip the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia.
JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi has said his party would reach out to those allies of the NDA who had been a part of the United Front government at the Centre in 1990s over the issue. He said that the Opposition would raise the issue in the upcoming Budget session of the Parliament.
The MPs from Congress, Trinamul Congress, JD(U), RJD, NCP, CPI, CPI(M) and AAP on Friday had issued a joint statement condemning the government’s move to “strip” Aligarh Muslim University and Jamila Millia Islamia of their minority status.
The Opposition is trying to impress upon other parties to join hands on the issue. They are seeking to reach out to parties like Shiromani Akali Dal, TDP, AGP, PDP and TRS.
A meeting of the MPs, sharing a common view on the matter, will also be held before the Budget session to chalk out the strategy, the JD(U) leader said, adding that apart from the MPs from the eight parties, “Indian National Lok Dal has also decided to support us”.
Mr Tyagi sought to find a parallel with the government’s move against the varsities over the recent outrage and political protests that followed the suicide of a dalit student in Hyderabad University. He said the issue is about autonomy of institutions.
“Be it Jamia or Aligarh Muslim University or for that matter the issue of appointment of vice-chancellors in Delhi University and JNU, the government has reflected the same attitude. It is up to usurp their autonomy. The sad outcome of it is the Hyderabad incident. We will oppose such a tendency tooth and nail,” he added.
