Deoband meet: Vastanvi's hope brightens as probe committee splits

Deoband - 23 July 2011: The two-day meeting of Islamic seminary Darul-Uloom Deoband's Majlis-e-Shoora' (governing council), which will decide the fate of controversial Vice Chancellor Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi, has started here this morning in a peaceful atmosphere. The Shoora will take final decision on Vastanvi tomorrow (24th July).

At the meeting, the report of three-member committee constituted to probe the allegations against Maulana Vastanvi will be submitted. According to sources, due to conflict among the members, the committee is not going to present a consensus report. It is most likely that each member will present his separate report. It is said that in case of contradiction between the reports, the Shoora may recommend for a fresh probe.

The seminary has already declared the annual Ramadhan holidays on 21st July and there is a small number of students here. Taking precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident, the seminary has strictly prohibited entry of outsiders and even meeting with members of 'Majlis-e-Shoora.'

On the first day today, the Shoora will discuss educational and constructional issues of the seminary and will pass the budget for next financial year. The matter of Vastanvi will be discussed tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Maulana Vastnavi rejected the news that he would go to court in case the decision of Majlis-e-Shoora comes against him. He claimed that he would abide by the decision taken by the governing body whatever it may be.

Maulana Vastnavi was elected as Chief of the most influential Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband on January 10,2011 after the rector of the seminary Maulana Marghubur Rahman passed away. But Vastanvi's appointment divided the students and the officials into two camps which led to the violent situation at the campus. His praising words for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendera Modi added only fuel to the fire.

The special meeting of the shoora was called on February 23 to take steps to control the boiling circumstances at the campus. Maulana Vastanvi tendered the resignation from the post. But the meeting had constituted the three-member committee comprising of its members-- Maulana Mufti Manzoor Ahmed, Maulana Mohd Ismail and Maulana Malik Mohd Ibrahim-- to look into the allegations against Vastanvi.

Now after six months the shoora will decide whether Vastanvi should continue on his post or not.

source: TwoCircles.net