NEW DELHI: Ignoring frequent interruptions and occasional noisy scenes, Socialist member Yashpal Singh yesterday [Aug 27] mounted a powerful attack on the Aligarh Muslim University Amendment Ordinance in the Indian Parliament and asked the House to record its disapproval on what he called a dictatorial measure.

Moving a statutory resolution opposing the ill-famed Ordinance, the member took the Education Minister, Mr M. C. Chagla, to task for taking away the rights of the minorities which have been guaranteed by the Constitution by seeking to change the charter of the University. Both Mr Yashpal Singh and the Swatantra member, Mr M. R. Masani, who spoke later, made earnest appeals to the Government not to change the Islamic charter of the University.

He said the basic fact that the Aligarh Muslim University was a minority institution must be admitted. Nothing should therefore be done to change the Islamic character of the University. Mr Yashpal Singh’s speech was marked for its frank and straightforward dispositions and was repeatedly interrupted by members of his own community from Government as well as Opposition benches. He said Pakistan was not the creation of Muslims but was the product of Hindus’ communalism.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Lahore,] nearly 2,000 Khaksars, divided in two corps, yesterday ceremoniously marched through the city streets to the grave of Allama Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi in Ichhra to give their leader an anniversary salute. Marching in uniforms under the Akhuwat banner the Khaksars, who have assembled in the town for a two-day camp on the occasion of their late leader’s death anniversary, drew loud applause.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2015

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