CBI Interim Report: AMU VC Azis guilty

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, ALIGARH

S. Mustafa Zaidi Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002 0571-3203520 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            0571-3203520      end_of_the_skype_highlighting(O); 0571-2720011 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            0571-2720011      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (R); 09411802364 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            09411802364      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (M) Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AMUTeachers Blog: http://www.secretaryamuta.blogspot.com

January 11, 2012

Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis

The Vice-Chancellor

A.M.U., Aligarh

Dear Professor Azis,

It is with great pain and anguish that I am writing this letter enclosing a unanimous resolution of the Executive Committee of AMU Teachers’ Association asking you to leave AMU forthwith to maintain the dignity of the office you hold.

We never in our wildest dreams imagined that we would write such a letter to an incumbent Vice-Chancellor of AMU, who unfortunately frittered away an enormous amount of goodwill and support of the University community in actively initiating and participating in the conspiracy to destroy the basic structure of AMU; and who also indulged in willful violation of administrative and financial rules and procedures leading to personal benefits.

Sincerely yours,

(S Mustafa Zaidi)

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, ALIGARH

S. Mustafa Zaidi Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002 0571-3203520 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            0571-3203520      end_of_the_skype_highlighting(O); 0571-2720011 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            0571-2720011      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (R); 09411802364 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            09411802364      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (M) Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AMUTeachers Blog: http://www.secretaryamuta.blogspot.com

January 11, 2012

Unanimous Resolutions passed by the Executive Committee of the

Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) at its

Emergent Meeting held on Jan. 11, 2012 at 5:30 PM

This meeting expresses its satisfaction over the submission of the interim report of the CBI confirming that the charges of financial irregularities and misappropriation levelled against Dr. P.K. Abdul Azis and the Registrar and others are true. It now expects that Prof. Azis would resign forthwith keeping the dignity of the office of the Vice-Chancellor, AMU in mind. We also expect that the Congress led UPA Government fulfills its constitutional obligations and duties by immediately sacking Dr. Azis and initiating exemplary administrative and disciplinary action against not only Dr. Azis but all others who were hand in glove with him in the project to destroy the basic structure of Aligarh Muslim University, the premier educational institution established by the Muslims of India.

The Executive Committee is of opinion that this interim report has not only removed the fig leaf of respectability from the misdemeanours of Dr. Azis and his associates but also exposed the failure of the Congress led UPA Government in not taking timely action against Dr. Azis. Moreover, we also condemn the top leaders of the Congress party in taking credit for the establishment of illegal AMU off Campus Centres on the false premise of benefits to the Muslim community. These actually expose the conspiracy to destroy AMU by foisting Dr. Azis, a person already indicted by the Government of Kerala, on AMU to facilitate the setting up of the illegal Centres.

We, therefore, demand that:

• Dr. Azis should not get any retirement/terminal benefits till he is absolved of all charges made against him.
• The publication of the “coffee table book” detailing the “achievements” of the present University administration, should be stopped forthwith and the tax payers money should not be wasted on unnecessary publicity and questionable and false propaganda. Failing this, all persons responsible for the preparation and distribution of this unauthorized propaganda vehicle should be identified and made liable to repay this money to the University.
• Enquiry should be instituted by the Executive Council to uncover the misdeeds from 2007 to date, responsibility fixed and punishments meted out.

To focus on our demands and to exhibit that Dr. Azis is no longer needed in AMU, the Executive Committee decides to put up banners & posters all over the campus asking Dr. Azis to quit and the Government to sack him after this indictment.

• It resolves to observe Hunger Strike from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at the Dharna site (AMU Staff Club). The Hunger Strike shall be joined by those members of the Action Committee and of the General Body who wish to do so.
• On the reopening of the University, a march to the Administrative Block be organized on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 from the Staff Club to focus on the obscenity of an indicted person heading an educational institution of the status of AMU.

Members are requested to join in large numbers to make the programme a success.

 (S. Mustafa Zaidi)

May 6, 2011: Letter to President of India, Prime Minister, Minister of HRD and Smt Sonia Gandhi

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, ALIGARH

S. Mustafa Zaidi Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh-202002 0571-3203520 (O); 09411802364 (M) 0571-2720011 (R); Email: secretary_amuta@rediffmail.com

May 6, 2011

Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil

President of India,

(In Her capacity as Visitor, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh),

Rashtrapati Bhavan,

New Delhi

Dr Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister of India

New Delhi

Mr Kapil Sibal

Minister of HRD

New Delhi

Smt. Sonia Gandhi

Chairperson, UPA

New Delhi

Memo:  Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) : Vice-Chancellor, has failed to administer the University and has become a liability for the Institution and deserves to be removed from office forthwith.

Respected Madam,

            Aligarh Muslim University has been reeling under the worst ever period of governance and facing serious crisis of confidence. There is tension, discontent, and anger caused by the intransient, autocratic, arrogant and reckless attitude of Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, the Vice-Chancellor. His attempts to solve problems by trying to tamper with the legal structure of the University, knee jerk actions to close down the University sine die on flimsy considerations, rustication of students and mis-behaving and victimization of teachers reflecting upon the reign of terror and recklessness in matters of substantial concern to the University.

            He has committed compounded illegalities and his disrespect for the rule of law are evident from the way he conducted the meetings of main policy-making bodies of the University and his continuing inability to organize legally maintainable meetings of the Court and the Executive Council even.

            In this connection, we are deeply distressed and disappointed and point out that the MHRD instead of fulfilling its constitutional obligation become an active partner in promoting inefficiency and even corruption by supporting and shielding the incompetent, ill-intentional, corrupt and tainted Vice-Chancellor, Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis in the last 3 -4 years, for ulterior motives and to serve the Ministry’s ends, clandestinely.

            To bring home the point without bothering you with details, it would suffice to disclose;

1)         That the Govt. appears to have blundered to appoint Prof. Azis as Vice-Chancellor despite an Inquiry by the Cochin University pending then against Prof. Azis on serious allegations of swindling money, violation of rules etc.,

2)         That Cochin University Inquiry found Prof. Azis guilty of corruption and flagrant violation of rules in 2008 and recommended strict disciplinary action but no action was taken. How?

3)         That the CAG, U.P. Annual Report, 2009 vide AB(C) 09-10/249 dated 17.11.2009, found Prof. Azis guilty of gross financial irregularities and observed that there is complete collapse of financial management in the University and the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar instead of stopping this frequent financial irregularities themselves became a part of this.

4)         That Visitor’s inquiry instituted in July, 2009 and the report was required to be submitted within three months but only an interim report could be formulated by the Enquiry Committee as late as March 2011. The report found Prof. Azis guilty of financial irregularities for his own personal benefits  and yet MHRD has not found time to proceed to take punitive action on the allegations established against Prof. Azis.

This brief account and chain of events established beyond doubt;

(a)  That the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Azis is guilty of all sorts of punishable offences and failed to deliver and therefore, attracts the provision of the Statute (4) of the University, which reads;

            40.  Removal of members and employees.

Not with standing anything contained in the terms of his contract of service or of his appointment, any office of the University salaries or otherwise, may be removed from their offices by the authority which is competent to fill the vacancy of other of the following grounds namely.

            (i)  The officer has become incapable of performing his duties

           (ii)  ……………………………….

(b)   That the MHRD consciously supported and gave Prof. Azis impunity to plunder the way it suited him and to fulfill the ugly designs of the Ministry of setting up of AMU Campuses / Centres in the country; outrightly anti University and a legal impossibility.

(c)  That the MHRD has not only failed in fulfilling its constitutional obligations of ensuring proper administration of the University and maintaining accountability and transparency, it has consciously, supported   and encouraged    corruption and inefficiency.

(d)   That MHRD with the connivance of the Finance Minister exploited the services of the besieged Prof. Azis and they utilized the resources of the University and not only unleashed the false and misleading propaganda but took steps for establishing the misconceived five AMU campuses/centres in the country on the false pretext of educational advancement of Muslims of the region as shrined in the Act of the University.

Needless to elaborate that neither AMU is empowered to establish such campuses/ centres nor could AMU play the role of promoting educational advancement of the Muslims of India after the so-called Minority Status was struck down by the High Court in 2005.

On the academic front the performance has been dismal; in the last four years, the mandatory requirement of 90/180 days of actual teaching has never been achieved and the requirement of 75% that has been reduced to mere 30% for this session speaks loud and clear about the scant concern the Vice-Chancellor has for the career of students.

The nexus thus created between the MHRD and the unscrupulous Vice-Chancellor played havoc with the University, and demolished every edifice which an institution of higher learning possesses and is proud of and created the unprecedented and difficult situation threatening the very existence of this Premier National Institution.

            The recent out break of violence on the campus was the natural corollary of the pampering of the student leaders elected and otherwise, by the Vice-Chancellor and his team who started interfering in the functioning more and more with every passing day. However, the closure of the University sine die at the crucial exam time without taking in confidence the University fraternity, the teachers in particular on the purported insistence of the local administration and the police and without following the prescribed procedure, by bringing about the closure on the basis of a mere notice from the Registrar of the University, who has no jurisdiction and authority.  The colossal loss of students is undoubtedly irreparable and the Vice-Chancellor is not inclined to reopen the University immediately forcing this Association to go an Indefinite Dharna to highlight the pressing issues and bring pressure on the V.C. to listen the voice of reason.

            We are convinced that his continuance shall irrevocably and permanently endanger the effective governance of the University.

            His penchant for manipulation has kept him afloat until now. Several hints by senior well-wishers of the University have failed to persuade him to quit gracefully.  Any other person with a semblance of decency, integrity and self-respect would have resigned long ago. But given his capacity to manipulate including the media and the cover available from MHRD, it seems unlikely that he would opt the dignified and graceful way to call it a day.

            Therefore, our obvious concern for the rule of law in general and that for effective and transparent governance of the AMU having huge minority interest in the country and the fact that the eradication of corruption is high on the agenda of your Govt. generated high hopes, seek your kind indulgence and personal intervention to remove Prof. Abdul Azis from office forthwith only to be followed by other measures to repair the damages done.

            Hoping for immediate appropriate action.

            With best regards,

Yours sincerely, 

(Prof. Abdul Qaiyum)                                         (S. Mustafa Zaidi)            

President, AMUTA                                            Hony. Secretary, AMUTA