UPDATE: Sabrangindia has further learned from AMU academics that apart from Makhan Lal, the second name in the UGC ‘list’ for AMU’s history department was Farhan Nizami, son of Khaliq A. Nizami, currently running the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. His father, a professor at AMU, was also reported to have been behind hosting a ‘parallel Indian History Congress, in earlier decades.
The Vice Chancellor, AMU, Tariq Mansoor has immediately cancelled the letter advising the History department of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) from appointing controversial RSS man, Makhan Lal as adjunct professor to the history department of the university. Yesterday, Sabrangindia had broken the story of the designs of the Modi regime to impose a whole set of professors with hardline Hindutva leanings on the AMU. It is now learned that it is not just AMU but several central universities have received a ‘list’ of names of academics-cum-Hindutva-ideologues who ‘have been directed’ to be appointed to social science departments of central universities.
Today, the Vice Chancellor has cancelled the appointment of Makhan Lal and clarified that it was not he, but in-charge of the AMU, Imtiaz Hasnain who had through a formal letter issued to the history department, directed the Chairman, Department of History to go ahead with the appointment. The letter caused a great deal of discussion and heat yesterday, especially the fact that the normal rule and guidelines had not been followed, in making the appointment. The VC thereafter has clarified today that the letter stands withdrawn and the appointment, not formally made, stands cancelled.
Sabrangindia has spoken to a cross section of professors, especially from the social sciences department. It is learnt that the University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a list of “academics” from the social sciences who should be appointed to various departments. Journalist and Hindutva ideologue, SwapanDasgupta is one of the names also recommended in this controversial list, suggested to be appointed to the political science department. This ‘list’ has been sent to not just AMU but several other Central Universities as well, it is learned.
The probable appointment of Dasgupta was also discussed in the Political Science department yesterday and stiff resistance was put up by several faculty members after which the decision, at least as of now, not to appoint him, has been taken.
Also Read : Controversial RSS Prof Makhan Lal appointed to History Dept at AMU