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NEW DELHI: Aligarh Muslim University’s Donor Member & former Media Advisor of AMU Professor Jasim Mohammad, has written to the Governor of West Bengal Shri R N Ravi, urging a reconsideration of the proposed conferment of the Governor’s Award of Excellence – “Vande Mataram Puraskar” on the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Srimati Naima Khatoon.
In his letter addressed to Lok Bhavan in Kolkata, Prof. Jasim Mohammad stated that while the recognition of women’s leadership and empowerment is important, the circumstances surrounding the functioning of AMU during the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor warrant careful and objective reconsideration before such a prestigious honour is bestowed.
Jasim Mohammad emphasized that awards of this stature send a national message about governance standards, moral accountability, and institutional integrity. According to the letter, the university has witnessed several disturbing developments in recent years, including serious criminal incidents on campus, some of which remain under investigation.
Prof. Jasim Mohammad also referred to complaints from sections of the faculty alleging discrimination, administrative high-handedness, and suppression of dissent. He noted that allegations relating to religious bias and unfair treatment of professors have surfaced, and that some representations by aggrieved faculty members reportedly did not receive satisfactory redressal.
“In such a context, the conferment of a high public honour risks being interpreted as institutional endorsement at a time when serious questions remain unresolved,” the letter states. It further adds that such a decision may demoralize individuals within the university community who are seeking transparency and accountability. He urged the Office of the Governor to consider keeping the award decision in abeyance until the issues raised are independently examined.
The letter also questioned whether the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor reflects the ideals associated with Nari Shakti, under which the award is reportedly being conferred. According to Prof. Jasim Mohammad, genuine women’s empowerment should be reflected through initiatives that promote inclusivity, gender justice, and a safe academic environment.
He concluded by expressing confidence in the judgment of the constitutional office of the Governor West Bengal and stated that state level national honours should reinforce public trust and moral accountability in academic institutions.