New Delhi, Jan 24: Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on Friday addressed the press conference of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) called to protest the move of central BJP government to withdraw minority status from Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia.

Earlier in a video statement, Jamaat’s Secretary General said: “Since the NDA has come to power at the centre, the government has sent several such signals against minority. The statements of several ministers and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi show that the present government does not like even the word of minority.”

“The previous government (of Congress) had shown intention to support minority status of AMU (in the case pending in Supreme Court) but the present government (of BJP) has signaled that it is not in favor of minority status to the university and wants to end it. Going ahead, some of the ministers have hinted to withdraw the minority status of Jamia Millia also. This attitude of the government will harm the pluralistic character and democratic set-up of the country,” said Salim Engineer.

At the press conference held at Press Club of India here on 22nd Jan, SIO leaders said: “The submissions made by the AG of India before the Hon’ble Supreme court on the minority character of AMU doesn’t only neglect the fundamental rights of minorities guaranteed under the constitution but also reflects the shaky commitment of the current dispensation towards the diversity of the Nation.”

Others who address the press conference included Iqbal Hussain, National President, SIO of India, Navaid Hamid, President, All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat, Shehla Rashid Shora (VP, JNU Students Union), Meeran Haider (Jamia Students Forum), Abdulla Azzam (Former President, AMU Students Union), Inamur Rahman (Coordinator, Federation for Muslim Educational Institutions).