New Delhi — The Supreme Court of India held a significant hearing today regarding the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a prestigious institution in Uttar Pradesh, as Chief Justice DY Chandrachud concluded his tenure. In a pivotal decision, the court reversed a longstanding 1967 ruling that denied AMU minority status, leading to a new debate on its classification as a minority institution. The hearing addressed whether AMU, established by law, could still claim minority status. In the landmark case of "Aziz Basha v. Union of India," the Supreme Court ruled that AMU did not qualify as a minority institution due to its legislative establishment.
However, in a surprising turn, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Chandrachud, ruled by a narrow 4:3 majority that the introduction of governmental regulations should not strip an institution of its minority status. This critical decision means that the matter will now be referred to a newly constituted three-judge bench for further deliberation. The outcome of this hearing will ultimately determine AMU's status, which has significant implications for the university's governance and student admissions. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Chandrachud was joined by Justices Sanjeev Khanna, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra in favor of granting AMU minority status.
In contrast, Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Dutt, and SC Sharma expressed dissenting opinions, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the issue. The history of Aligarh Muslim University dates back to 1875, when Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established the Muslim Anglo-Oriental School, aiming to provide modern education to Muslims in India. Over the years, it evolved into a college and was eventually granted university status in 1920, becoming one of the country's premier institutions for higher education.
The 1967 ruling has long shaped the discourse around AMU's identity and its role in fostering education among Muslim communities. As the nation awaits the verdict from the upcoming three-judge bench, the future of Aligarh Muslim University remains uncertain but holds the potential for significant change. As Chief Justice Chandrachud retires on November 10, his last day on the bench has left a lasting mark on the ongoing conversation surrounding minority rights and educational equity in India. Further developments in this case will be closely monitored by legal experts, educational institutions, and communities across the country.
