The Jamia Millia Islamia vice-chancellor has hailed the decision of conferring the status of minority institution on the university which will now have to be more responsible in preserving its secular character. “There are over 50 per cent Muslims studying in the university, so the ruling is not going to change much as far as the configuration is concerned,” vice-chancellor Najeeb Jung said.
“Now, we will be able to ensure that this continues, but little will change on the ground and ours has always been a secular institution in spirit, ever since it was established in 1920,” he said. The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions on Tuesday ruled that Jamia Millia Islamia was a minority institution, founded by the Muslims for the benefit of Muslims.
Delhi University vice-chancellor Prof. Dinesh Singh said, “If one wants to know whether a country is democratic in true sense or not, one should see the status of minorities, said Gandhi ji. If this be the yardstick, then this decision certainly proves that India is a democratic country in the true sense”.