Minorities oppose Centre's medical college admission order

Lucknow - 07 Sep 2011: Religious minorities today joined hands to protest against the central government's decision to conduct combined entrance tests for admissions to MBBS course in all medical colleges including minority institutions. The minority representatives also announced to meet the Prime Minister and Law Minister for registering their protest.

The minority community representatives under the aegis of All India Minority Welfare Association included Vice-President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, General Secretary, AIMPLB, Maulana Nizamuddin, Swami Vipin Ji from Jain Community, President, Lucknow Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (LGPC), Sardar RS Bagga, Chief Priest, Assembly of God, Father CB Lyoll and Vice-Chancellor (V-C), Kanshiram Urdu Arabic Persian University, Anees Ansari.

The representatives opined that once medical colleges run by minority societies are included for common admission tests they will lose the right and discretion for the admission of students. "This is against the spirit of constitution which has given us the right under article 30(1). Minority communities have been given special right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice," said Maulana Nizamuddin. He, however, clarified that AIMLPB has no association with this demand.

Vice-President, AIMPLB, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq remained highly critical of UPA-II regime terming it anti-minority. "This government (UPA-II) has done little for minorities. Its policies are anti-minorities and are harming our justified interests. We do not want they continue in power next time with same mindset," said Sadiq. He also lashed out at the MPs stating that parliament is a sacred place like temple or mosque. "Any thief sitting at temple or mosque does not become pure. Similarly some thieves could not claim to be pure even if they are MPs," he said. He also claimed that he is ready to go to jail if there is any need.in this agitation. Sadiq also supported Anna Hazare's anti graft stir stating that he was not in country during the movement but is happy that millions turned up for the movement on corruption issue.

Swami Vipin Ji from Jain community stated that minority institutions are open for more transparency in their administration and governance. "It does not imply that admissions are thrust upon us through common admission tests. It is for MBBS course today which may be followed by engineering and management institutions tomorrow," he said. Swami Vipin also opined that the minority institutions are subjected to strict norms and inspections by government authorities and bodies. "If they clear all the norms, it will be demeaning these authorities. Make the rules harsher but do not interfere in our management and right for taking admissions," he said.

Similar views were expressed by other representatives of minority community who stressed for intensifying their demand in coming days and not be part of government's common admission tests for admission to MBBS course in minority run medical colleges.

source: TwoCircles.net