Supreme Court’s Historic Verdict on Aligarh Muslim University

Landmark Judgment Upholds Minority Institution’s Autonomy and Cultural Identity

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has emerged victorious in a landmark Supreme Court verdict that has upheld the institution’s status as a minority educational institution, safeguarding its autonomy and preserving its unique cultural identity.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-judge bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, the apex court dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aligarh Muslim University (Amendment) Act, 2018. The petitions had argued that the Act violated the principles of secularism and equality enshrined in the Constitution.

However, the Supreme Court rejected these arguments, holding that AMU's minority character was an integral part of its historical legacy and educational mission. The court recognized that the university was established by the Muslim community in 1920 with the specific aim of providing educational opportunities to Muslim students.

The court also emphasized that the university's minority status did not give it immunity from judicial review. However, it held that any interference with the university's autonomy must be justified on compelling grounds and must be proportionate to the legitimate aim sought to be achieved.

The Supreme Court's judgment has been widely welcomed by the AMU community and Muslim organizations across the country. It is seen as a significant victory for the rights of minorities and a reaffirmation of the constitutional principles of secularism and equality.

The judgment is also expected to have wider implications for other minority educational institutions in India, providing them with greater certainty and protection.