In a historic turn, the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the 1967 Azizi Pasha vs. Government of India judgment has sparked widespread celebration among students and faculty at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), who view the ruling as a significant affirmation of minority rights in India.
After the verdict was announced, students assembled at AMU’s Bab-e-Syed gate, celebrating with fireworks and sharing sweets to mark the occasion.
Professor Faizan Mustafa, former registrar of AMU and a petitioner in the case, expressed his joy, calling the ruling a “historic decision” and a victory for minority rights. “This is a significant moment, not just for AMU but for minority rights across the nation,” Mustafa said, welcoming the ruling.
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Rahat Abrar, former director of the Urdu Academy and a former Public Relations Officer at AMU, emphasized that the verdict was a long-awaited affirmation of the AMU community’s call for recognition. “The Supreme Court’s decision validates the foundational principles of AMU and fulfills the longstanding aspirations of its community,” Abrar said.
Obaid Siddique, Secretary of the AMU Teachers’ Association, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This judgment confirms and strengthens the ideals on which AMU was established.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling sets aside the Pasha judgment and calls for a regular bench to examine AMU’s minority status, leaving the community hopeful that this reaffirmation will have a lasting impact.
