Lucknow, Nov. 11: Aligarh Muslim University vice-chancellor Zameeruddin Shah has said allowing women students of an off-campus undergraduate college into the 'packed' central library will create 'an issue of discipline' as 'there will be four times more boys', sparking a row and prompting the Centre to seek a report.
As the comments by Shah - a retired lieutenant general and brother of actor Naseeruddin Shah - at a college union event yesterday kicked up a storm, the VC denied allegations of a 'sexist approach' and asserted he was referring only to the central library's lack of space.
'If permission is granted (to students of the undergraduate college to use the main library), there will be four times more boys and this will create an issue of discipline,' the former deputy chief of army staff had said last evening, referring to demands by the 4,000 undergraduate students of the Women's College, 2km from the campus.
The Smriti Irani-headed Union HRD ministry has sought a report from AMU asking 'why accommodating the girls was a problem' for the central university.
Today, Shah clarified that there was 'no fresh ban' and rejected allegations of gender bias as 'not only erroneous but also mischievous and defamatory'.
Shah noted that all postgraduate girls and women research scholars 'have been enjoying round-the-clock access to the Maulana Azad Library since its inception' and added that the Women's College had 'a top-class separate library of its own'.
Arrangements were already in place to deliver within 24 hours any book that was available at the main library but not at the Women's College, he said. 'In other words, they already enjoy access to the Maulana Azad Library without being encumbered by the burden of physically visiting the library at odd hours.'
Shah recalled that a demand was raised yesterday to allow the college's 4,000 undergraduate students into the central library, after which he said that the facility was already burdened.
'It can be met only after the infrastructure issues have been resolved and arrangements for safe transport for (the Women's College) girls have been made. Once (this is done), we would have no objection in permitting the girls to get access to the central library if they so wish,' Shah said today.
University officials said the Maulana Azad Library could accommodate 1,300 students.
'We are not against women's empowerment. The issue is about space. Our library is packed,' the VC said.
Women's College principal Naeema Khatoon echoed Shah and said an 'unnecessary controversy' was being 'created out of nothing'.
'We are providing Wi-fi at the Women's College Library and soon all digital books, including e-journals, available at the Maulana Azad Library will also be available in our college,' Khatoon said. She added the VC had 'immediately announced his approval' when a demand was raised yesterday to extend by two hours the college library's timings.
But some college students disagreed and said their library was 'poorly stocked'. 'The lack of space argument is an excuse. You don't see the (central) library always full. Why don't the authorities impose some restrictions on the male students? Why are girls barred? Why should not some male students be barred for indiscipline?' asked Rukhsana Naeem, a second-year undergraduate student of the college. Another said: 'We are treated as if we are not part of AMU.'
Annie Raja, the general secretary of the Left-affiliated National Federation of Indian Women, said: 'If they say that even boys can't sit (in the main library), it is a question of infrastructure. They should address the question of infrastructure rather than stopping girls. The library is meant for all.'
Earlier, controversies had erupted after Shah banned bikes on the campus, citing law and order problems, and Facebook at AMU facilities.
