New Delhi: T.K. Oomen, Professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in a meeting organized by the Jamia Teacher's Solidarity Association in his statement said that demanding a minority status for Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) would mar its progress as an institution, and would further erode its status. It would be better to value the institution as a Central university.
Mr Oomen presented an unbiased picture of the university. He also spoke at length about the pros and cons of Jamia being accorded the minority status. Enumerating the cons of the shift, he further explained that if the institution decides to convert itself into a minority one, then the flow of funds to the university would see a decline, as granting of funds to the university would then become controversial.
Further, Mr Oomen mentioned that the institution may also invite a feeling of alienation among the faculty members belonging only to the minority status. This would disincline competent faculty to join the institution as they would rather prefer to join a more open place to work. Elite Muslims may also not be keen to join the institution as they would rather prefer to join a reputed Central University.
