AMU Faculty delivers lecture on Role of AMU in the Freedom Struggle
Aligarh : As part of the celebrations of 75 years of India’s independence under the initiative of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, Begum Azeezun Nisa Hall, AMU organised an online Lecture on ‘Role of Aligarh Muslim University in the Freedom Struggle’ by Mr Mohammad Nasir (Assistant Professor, Department of Law, AMU).
Delivering the lecture, Mr Nasir said, “The enduring value of the valiance of our freedom fighters lies not necessarily in the freedom of India from the British, but the liberation of Indian minds from fear. Without the second the first would not have been possible”. Delineating India’s legal history, he discussed the inspiring life of Justice Syed Mahmood, son of Sir Syed and foremost dissenting judge of colonial India who became the first Indian to be appointed as a judge in the Allahabad High Court.
“Justice Syed Mahmood, a luminary of the Aligarh vision, became the first judge to resist colonial power by espousing the cause of judicial independence. At the time, judicial subservience to the political regime, and more significantly, that of a native puisne judge to an Anglo-Saxon Chief Justice, was considered a natural order of things. Under these circumstances, Justice Mahmood became a beacon for dissent when he challenged the English Chief Justice with his dissenting opinions which, though in the minority then, were accepted by the courts after independence as having laid down the correct law. For his dissents, Mahmood was forced to resign as a judge by the English Chief justice” he spoke.
On the centenary of AMU, he said “The present period represents a key moment in the history of India and AMU, as we have India @75 falling around the same time of AMU@ 100”.
Mr Nasir also mentioned the events leading up to the birth of AMU at the height of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the visit of Mahatma Gandhi to MAO College and the participation of MAO College students in the movement. The lecture further highlighted the contribution of MAO College product such as Raja Mahendra Pratap, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Ali brothers, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan etc.
The lecture also quoted the speech of the Prime Minister at the Centenary Celebration Programme of AMU in which the Prime Minister paid tributes to alumni of AMU for their role in nation building and freedom struggle. For such contributions, AMU is recognised as an ‘Institution of National Importance’ under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Prof Subuhi Khan, Provost, Begum Azeezun Nisa Hall delivered the welcome address and talked about the relevance of the topic and paid homage to great personalities who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle. Ms Rafeeda Siddiqui, Resident Warden, was the Coordinator of the program.
Dr Fauzia Faridi, Literary and Cultural Warden, conducted the event. Ms Rabab Khan paid a vote of thanks.
The Resident and Non-Resident Wardens of the Hall, Students and others attended the lecture in large numbers through Facebook live.