UP CM Yogi calls for SC/ST, OBC reservations at AMU, questions university’s minority status amid SC debate

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently questioned the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), asserting that it should follow reservation policies for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) since it is a publicly funded institution. Speaking at an election rally in Khair, Adityanath argued that AMU, which receives substantial funding from the central government, should comply with the same reservation guidelines as other centrally funded institutions. “How can an institution funded by the central government, by taxpayers’ money, deny reservation to SCs, STs, or OBCs but offer 50% reservation for Muslims?” he asked. The matter is currently being debated in the Supreme Court, where AMU’s minority status is under legal scrutiny.

Adityanath highlighted that constitutional guidelines and the Mandal Commission’s recommendations mandate reservation for marginalized communities in government-funded institutions. He criticized the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party, accusing them of not implementing these reservation policies at AMU to preserve their electoral influence. “They want to save their vote bank,” he claimed, suggesting that political motives had led to the continued minority status of AMU. Adityanath urged that AMU’s funding status warrants equal access for SCs, STs, and OBCs, especially since it operates as a public institution.

The Chief Minister also referenced recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically a resolution passed by the state assembly calling for the restoration of Article 370, which previously granted special autonomy to the region. Adityanath reiterated that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a key architect of the Constitution, had opposed Article 370, but it was later added under Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s administration. Adityanath praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to revoke Article 370 in 2019, citing it as a step toward stability and progress in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to a notable increase in tourism and economic activity in the area.

In his rally speech, Adityanath encouraged the crowd to stay united with the slogan “agar batenge, toh katenge” (if divided, we will perish), warning against forces that promote division. He referenced Ayodhya and Mathura as symbolic places that witnessed the impact of division, underscoring the importance of religious unity and national pride. He warned that such divisions could lead to societal and cultural setbacks.

Adityanath then discussed Aligarh’s development projects, including its designation as a Smart City, which entails upgraded infrastructure, digital services, and improved public facilities. Aligarh is also one of the nodes in Uttar Pradesh’s defense corridor, an initiative aimed at creating an industrial defense manufacturing hub. The corridor is expected to bring significant economic growth, attract investment, and generate jobs for locals. Additionally, Adityanath cited efforts to revive Aligarh’s historically significant lock industry, a long-standing symbol of the city’s craftsmanship, which the government aims to strengthen through new support and incentives.

Reaffirming his administration’s stance on maintaining law and order, Adityanath emphasized that strict action would continue against those involved in riots or stone-pelting incidents. He asserted that “Yamraj” (the god of death) awaited troublemakers, as the government would seize properties of rioters and redistribute them among the poor. Adityanath urged the public to support the BJP to ensure ongoing development and security measures in the state, contrasting his government’s policies with what he described as the “anarchy” of previous administrations.