Now, Arjun takes up cause of minorities

Barely had he emerged from the chaos surrounding the reservations controversy that Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has now decided there is another cause to take up: the educational condition of the minorities, specifically the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University.

Speaking at a function of the Aligarh Muslims Old Boys' Association in Riyadh, he said that the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University would be protected beyond doubt.

He was merely reiterating his resolve to support the Aligarh Muslim University's decision to reserve 50 per cent of seats for Muslims. But the context is different now as the matter is sub judice.

The decision was struck down by the Allahabad High Court last year and the university went in to appeal to the Supreme Court. The latter refused to uphold the High Court ruling and handed over the matter to a larger Bench.

Addressing the Riyadh gathering today, he said, "The minority character of the AMU will be protected beyond any doubt. Under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of UPA, and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the UPA government will leave no stone unturned to protect the rights of minorities in India."

Later, he said that several universities had offered him honorary doctorate, but he declined them and chose to accept only the doctorate awarded by the Aligarh Muslim University which he values and cherishes the most.

Earlier, Arjun Singh held discussions with the Minister for Higher Education, Saudi Arabia, Dr Khalid Bin Muhammad Al-Anqari in the latter's office.

The two ministers had detailed exchange of views on the issues of further strengthening the co-operation in the field of education between the two countries, contained in the Delhi Declaration made during the visit of the King of Saudi Arabia to India.