UP CM tells dalit activists to raise the issue of dalit reservation in AMU and Jamia

NEW DELHI: On Sunday, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh told the pro-dalit activists to raise the issue of dalit reservation in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Milia Islamia University as well.

The central government funds the AMU and Jamia. The former UPA government declared them as minority institutes.

Reservation for dalits in AMU and Jamia has been a disputable issue for a while now, with BJP being one of its most vocal supporters.

"When BHU (Banaras Hindu University) can provide reservation for dalits and backward students, why not AMU?", UP’s Chief Minister said.

Shortly after Adityanath's statement, AMU denied claims that the university provides reservation to students on the basis of religion.

"Currently, we don’t have reservation on religious basis. Aligarh Muslim University's admission policy falls under SC jurisdiction. Matter is pending before SC. Fifty percent reservation is for internal students. We'll follow court's decision," said Professor Shafey Kidwai, member in-charge of PRO AMU.

BJP had raised the issue of reservation of seats in the two universities in February 2017. “Any central government funded or aided institute must have provisions of reservation for SC, ST, and OBCs as per the Central government rules,” BJP had said.