Jamia Millia Islamia, a prominent Indian educational institution, finds itself in the midst of a heated controversy as Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Iqbal Hussain contemplates naming the university’s proposed medical college after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This move has ignited a spectrum of reactions, prompting a broader discourse on the intersection of politics and academia.
Defending the proposal, Prof Hussain argued that naming a medical college after a sitting prime minister was not inherently problematic. Drawing parallels with Aligarh Muslim University, which honored Jawaharlal Nehru by naming its medical college after him, Prof Hussain advocated for a “Narendra Modi Medical College” at Jamia Millia Islamia.
However, he clarified that the medical college’s approval exists only on paper, lacking concrete funding or physical establishment. Despite this, Prof Hussain emphasized the university’s historical ties to the freedom struggle, asserting the need for a medical college.
Critics within the university community have not welcomed the announcement, expressing concerns about political and personal motives behind the decision. Khalid Saifullah, president of the SIO (Student Islamic Organisation) Jamia Unit, criticized the move, advocating for naming departments and centers after founders rather than succumbing to political considerations.
Saifullah suggested figures like Hakeem Ajmal Khan and Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, known for their contributions to the medical field, as more suitable names for the proposed medical college. Historian and Jamia alumnus Dr. Faizan Shahid echoed these sentiments, proposing the college be named after Hakeem Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, citing Ansari’s sacrifices and humanitarian efforts during the Balkan War in 1912.
As the controversy unfolds, it sparks fundamental questions about naming conventions in academic institutions, triggering a broader dialogue on the delicate balance between political considerations and recognizing individuals for their historical contributions. The diverse perspectives within the university community leave the administration with the challenge of addressing this ongoing debate.
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