Speeches in Parliament Vol. (IV)-133

I would like to say that the Government will have take note of this matter. I would like to say a few words on the general aspect of the problem of the question of minority character of the Aligarh Muslims University. This seems to be the cause of this trouble; and unfortunately, possibly maybe a cause of more trouble in future. It may come. Who knows about it? (Interruptions). We have made mistakes. I am coming to that. We have all made mistakes since 1972. We put the demand in our parties manifesto. We did not do anything about it. You put the demand in you manifesto in 1977. You have not done anything about it. We have all made mistakes.

I am speaking here as non-party man; I am speaking here as an Indian who is sorry for what has happened in the last few months in India on the communal front. Let us accept this reality that the Aligarh Muslims University is a minority institution. It is not by an Act that it can be called like this; it is a history behind it which gives to it, its real character. It is a Muslim’s small organization. A school was started first which ultimately developed into a University. It is a Muslim University. Why don’t we accept this reality? Why do we give artificial reasons for grievances for the minority? Let us accept it.

The Rajya Sabha has passed a Bill. Now another Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha. If the Rajya Sabha’s Bill comes to the Lok Sabha, it means it will be defeated. If the Lok Sabha’s Bill goes to the Rajya Sabha, possibly it will be defeated there.

The Prime Minister very kindly invites us to discuss all important matters of national character. I would like to ask him and request him about it. Is it not that the Aligarh University issue is more than the national issue? What type of legislation we should undertake or the type of answer we should find to this question? Will it not be necessary, if all the parties and their leaders come together, sit together, find out some answer and give to this question. When it suits Government, they call us for a discussion. When it does not suit them, they do not call us for a discussion; they do as they like. Therefore, I feel that this question of the minority character should not be treated as a parochial question, a question of one community; it is a question of the psychology of minority, a question historical importance. Let us accept certain realities; and let us grant them their real demand. At the same time what has happened at the Dadri Station with the Aligarh Muslim University students deserves to be condemned, but also it is necessary to see that those who are guilty are punished; those who are guilty are exposed. Let the country know who are these people who have done this dirty job.