Participating for the first time in any event of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed its centenary celebrations lauding AMU’s contribution in fighting the coronavirus pandemic as “unprecedented” and saying that the university “represents India’s rich culture and heritage.”
In his address , the Prime-Minister pointed to religion-neutral development policies of his government saying they are implemented “without discrimination”.
Modi also stressed significance and power of “diversity” and importance of retaining it.
The Prime Minister urged people “to not look at everything from a political lens”, saying “Campuses like AMU can play a key role in contributing to this approach.”
AMU Chancellor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank attended the event. Modi also released a postal stamp during the function which he addressed through videoconferencing.
“AMU alumni are spread across the world and take a lot of pride in their alma mater. Their pride is justified. In 100 years of existence, AMU has crafted and polished millions of lives, giving them modern and scientific thinking and inspiring them to do something for society and the nation” , said the Prime Minister.
“In the last 100 years, AMU has also worked to strengthen India’s relations with many countries of the world”, said Modi in praise of the institution that was originally established by Sir Dyed Ahmad Khan as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in1875.
AMU became a University in 1920, through an Act of the Indian Legislative Council by elevating the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College to the status of a Central University.
“The research done in AMU on Urdu, Arabic, and Persian languages, research on Islamic literature, gives new energy to India’s cultural relations with the entire Islamic world”, he said.
In the backdrop of the recurring debate on the minority character of the university, Modi praised diversity in the university.
“People tell me that the AMU campus is like a city in itself. We see a mini India among different departments, dozens of hostels, thousands of teachers, and professors. The diversity which we see here is not only the strength of this university but also of the entire nation”, said the Prime Minister.
“I have been told that at least 1,000 international students are currently enrolled in AMU”, he added.
The Prime Minister asked students in the AMU to contribute to the nation building.
“ It is an onus on AMU students to share with the world everything good about India. They have a two-fold responsibility to contribute to nation-building and also help India bolster its soft power”, he said.
Modi lauded the stellar role played by the AMU during the ongoing pandemic crisis in the country.
“The contributions made by the university during the coronavirus pandemic were unprecedented.They helped people get tested for free, built isolation wards, started plasma banks, provided hospital beds, and helped society”, he said.
The Prime Minister quoted AMU’s founder saying that the growth of the country is above the caste and religion of the people.
Sir Syed had also said that religion should not be the reason for anyone’s backwardness.
Modi said it must be realised that politics is an important part of society, but there are many other issues in society besides politics.
“… for a new India, the core is that welfare must not be seen from the prism of politics. There are some elements who may have an issue with this. They can be found in all countries. They will spread negativity. But these people will be sidelined if we work for the betterment of the country keeping politics aside. Politics can wait, society can wait, (but) the country can’t wait for development, the poor and disadvantaged can’t wait for development,” said Modi as he addressed students, teachers and staff of the varsity.
“Country is on the path where no citizen would be left behind because of their religion and everyone would get equal opportunities so that everyone can fulfill their dreams. Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is the mantra behind it” , said the Prime Minister in his outreach to the AMU student community.
He said progressive education among Muslim girl students has led to decline in the dropouts from 70 to 30 percent.
“Earlier, the dropout rate of Muslim girls was 70 per cent due to lack of toilets and now after launching the Swachh Bharat Mission, the dropout rate went down to only 30 per cent”, he said.
“Thirty five per cent of students in AMU today are female, I congratulate AMU for this feat”, said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister also mentioned the “end” of regressive triple-talaq in the country.