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Seven-judge bench to decide minority status of Aligarh Muslim University

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New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred to a seven-judge Constitution bench the question whether Aligarh Muslim University was a minority institution as it would take a relook at 1967 Azeez Basha case that had held that AMU was not a minority institution as it was set up by an Act of Parliament.

The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice Sanjiv Khanna referred the matter to the seven-judge Constitution bench as senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan appearing for the AMU told it that the judgement in the Azeez Basha case was bad in law and needed a relook.

The larger bench would decide on the parameters for granting the minority status to an educational institution, what a minority institution is, how it is established and how it would run.

The larger bench will also decide whether a university, distinct from a college, can be treated as a minority institution. The Constitution bench will also discuss the TMA Pai judgement on a minority institution.

In 1981 the question of minority institution was referred to a seven-judge bench, which in turn referred it to an 11-judge bench but the question continues to hang fire.

The seven-judge bench would also look into the amendment to Minority Educational Institutions. Senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan told the court that Central legislation making AMU a university was just a technicality and this could not denude the AMU of its minority character.

The AMU argued that it was established by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan – long before Parliament passed the law making it a university. Having said this, Dhavan said the matter needs to be sent to a larger bench instead of being heard by the current bench.

Agreeing that the matter be referred to the seven-judge bench, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal suggested that they would frame the questions to be addressed by the larger bench. However, CJI Gogoi declined the request, saying that the questions have already been framed in the earlier judgement.

The current issue arose in the wake of an Allahabad High Court verdict holding that AMU being a Central university was not a minority institution.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had moved the top court challenging the High Court verdict, but later the Modi government withdrew the UPA government’s appeal which had asserted the minority status of the AMU.

–IANS
pk/prs

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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