NEW DELHI, 24 December 2003 — The Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) was adjourned for the second consecutive day yesterday as members from Congress and other opposition parties stalled the proceedings, seeking protection of the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University.
Angry Congress, Samajwadi Party, RJD and Left party members stormed the well of the house, protesting against a University Grants Commission directive to all universities, including the Aligarh Muslim University, that they hold a common entrance test for admission to various professional courses.
The circular asked the Aligarh Muslim University, a fully government-funded institution, not to advertise courses for admission nor conduct entrance tests until the UGC formulated its interim policy regulations for 2004-2005.
Opposition members said the character of AMU, which was governed by a separate act of Parliament, would be diluted by the UGC move. They alleged that the Hindu right-wing government of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was “interfering” in the functioning of AMU and threatening its minority status and autonomous character.
The speaker asked the government to make a statement.
