Discussion on Dr Laurence Gautier’s book held    

Aligarh: Eminent scholars and academicians belonging to different disciplines, discussed the intricate and complex relations between community, nation, secularism, nationalism, role of Universities in politics, Muslim identity and evolution of ‘Muslim university’, during a discussion held at Sir Syed Academy, Aligarh Muslim University, on Dr. Laurence Gautier’s recent book entitled “Between nation and ‘Community’: Muslim Universities and Indian politics after partition”.

The programme organised in collaboration with the Aligarh Society of History and Archaeology was also attended by the author Dr. Laurence Gautier.

Presiding over the discussion, noted historian Prof Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of History, AMU said “in the aftermath of the partition of the sub-continent, the Aligarh Muslim University was protected by the Kumaon Regiment sent by Sardar Patel as Home Minister. The university had a financial problem, there was a tremendous pressure on the administration but by the University Act of 1951, the government and the leadership of the country at that time took the entire responsibility. Maulana Azad came here and gave assurances”.

Narrating the incidents of the partition-time he said “all credit must go to Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel and Maulana Azad, and then of course the local leadership. Not a single communal incident occurred in Aligarh during 1947-48.”

“I passed High School in 1947 and as partition came nearby there were some teachers, staff and students who were leaving AMU, but the classes used to have full attendance. When a teacher left, the next day another teacher took class, which I still admire. So despite all these disturbances and turmoil, teaching continued on the campus and there was no concession in attendance”, Prof Habib said.

He lamented the fact that nowadays classes are abandoned on a drop of a hat. This didn’t happen in 1947, 48, 49.

Address the function, Prof Naima Khatoon, Vice Chancellor, AMU said “though several books, monographs and articles focusing on accomplishments and educational transformations set in motion by AMU and Jamia have been published, a rigorous attempt to explore the complex relationship between two universities fully funded by the central government and Indian politics after partition still eludes us. Larence Gautier tried to supplement what had been left out. She insightfully spells out the role of AMU and Jamia as a central platform for negotiating between nation and community”.

Prof Khatoon commended Dr Gautier by saying that the book asserts that these institutions, without much public notice, served as intermediaries between the central government and the Muslims, because of the non-existence of a robust Muslim political party across the country.

Gautier provides a reasonable understanding of the quest for Muslim identity and its role in propelling the nation-building process, Prof Khatoon noted.

She added that noted Sir Syed scholar David Lelvyeld rightly praised AMU and Jamia for preserving pluralism as the essence of democracy. In an immensely readable prose replete with plausible shreds of evidence, Gautier seeks to show that Muslims, despite their abysmal educational, economic and social backwardness, are the proud and active citizens of India, and they simultaneously carry Islam’s historic and pristine legacy.

The Vice Chancellor also appreciated the initiative of Sir Syed Academy to organise discussion on seminal books published by reputed scholars belonging to different disciplines.

The author Dr. Laurence Gautier discussed the contents of the book denying the notion that it is a comparison between Jamia and AMU.

“The book can be read in different ways and I believe knowledge production cannot be separated from politics”, she pointed out, adding that the book also tries to understand how these two institutions, AMU and Jamia play a part in nation-building. Dr. Gautier also discussed some of the points raised by different speakers.

Prof Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi traced the history of Aligarh Society of History and Archaeology and outlined its contributions in the last few years. He also presented a critical view of Dr Gautier’s book. He praised her thorough scholarship but pointed out that the book reflects a tilt towards the Jamia Millia Islamia. He also disagreed with the view which can emerge from many charts and graphs which suggest that Jamia appears a progressive while AMU a regressive institution. He also disagreed with the view that as the faculty from AMU started joining Jamia, it also started becoming regressive; however Prof Rezavi lauded the book.

Prof Farhat Hasan disagreed with the view that the book is about Jamia and Aligarh, rather it should be seen from an academic perspective. “The war of attrition between Aligarh and Jamia over the account in the book is unnecessary. It is purely an academic exercise based on empirical research”, said Prof Hasan.

He lauded the empirical approach that has been followed in the book, and also the inferences drawn from oral tradition and use of primary sources. He didn’t agree with the view of Nehruvian secularism and nationalism which emerges from the pages of the book.

Prof Shafey Kidwai, Director, Sir Syed Academy praised the book for being an important discursive discussion of Aligarh’s history, a book which doesn’t present a chronological picture of history, rather a discursive view of history. He also welcomed the distinguished speakers and guests attending the programme.

Prof Naima Khatoon along with the other dignitaries released the book.

Dr. Mohammad Shahid proposed a vote of thanks, while Syed Hussain Haider conducted the proceedings.