The Aligarh Muslim University’s centenary should be an opportunity for honest introspection – the dazzle of the celebrations should not blind us to the difficult reality that the institution has been confronted with for several years now. Is AMU uniquely placed at a time when right-wing populism dominates the country? But AMU, unfortunately, scores quite low on these yardsticks, given the nepotism, provincialism, elitism, lack of enterprise and promotion of mediocrity within the campus. In an atmosphere rife with communal and anti-Muslim sentiments, AMU can’t take recourse to the plea: “These things happen elsewhere too.” Nepotism in appointments and contract allocation receives extra attention. The writer teaches at the Department of Strategic and Security Studies, Faculty of International Studies, Aligarh Muslim University

Source: Indian Express January 01, 2021 14:15 UTC