The minority status of Jamia Millia Islamia has been challenged in Delhi High Court. While the UPA government had supported the minority status of the 96-year-old institution, the NDA government has taken a U-turn and said it will not support it. In an interview with Basant Kumar Mohanty of The Telegraph, vice-chancellor Talat Ahmad asks why Jamia and AMU are being singled out. Excerpts from the interview:

Q: The government has recently taken a decision to oppose the minority character of AMU and Jamia. What do you have to say?

A: Jamia was granted minority status by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), which has been set up by Parliament. Jamia was given the status because it deserved it. Muslims had set up this institution. Anyway, we are waiting for the high court to take a decision.

Q: Social justice minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot has justified the government's change in stand, saying no government can be seen to promote a particular community through a central university. Do you agree with him?

A: There are a lot of minority institutions funded by the government. For example, St. Stephen's College, Khalsa College are funded by the central government. I do not understand why Jamia and AMU are being singled out. The Constitution gives the right to the minorities to set up and administer educational institutions. We are following what is given to us by the Constitution.

Q: The high court has not stayed the NCMEI order (of 2011) granting minority status. The university has started 50 per cent minority quota in admission but not in faculty recruitment. Any plans to make the quota operational in recruitments?

A: I do not want to do anything new till the matter is settled in court. (The minority status was challenged after the admission quota was introduced)

Q: You took charge when the UPA was in power. You have worked with the NDA government too. What could be the reason for the change in stand on the minority character?

A: The government would know the reason. I do not want to say anything else at this stage. We are just focusing on good work. There are many success stories in the institution. Our university got an A grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. Two more hostels, one for SC/ST and minority community girls and one for boys, are in the pipeline. We have started the Global Initiative of Academic Network scheme in which 10 eminent teachers from abroad have come to the campus and started special courses.

Q: There is a feeling among academics and students in various institutions that the HRD ministry is interfering in the affairs of autonomous institutions. It is passing on petitions, which are at times anonymous, about "anti-national" activities on campuses. What do you have to say?

A: We have not received any letter or petition from the ministry about any illegal activities on our campus. But if I get any such letter or petition, I would not act in haste. I will do what I am supposed to do as a vice-chancellor and will not allow any outside pressure to influence my action. The VC is appointed by the President of India.

Q: Do you think JNU acted in haste in allowing police in after the government made certain statements on "anti-national" slogans on the campus?

A: Jadavpur University faced a similar situation but it did not allow police and managed the affairs through an internal committee. Each university has a proctorial system to look into these types of situation. The JNU allowed police initially. I think such matters are best handled by the institution unless there is a law and order issue warranting police intervention.

Q: Police suspect some students of Jamia also took part in the "anti-India" sloganeering in JNU

A: We have not received any information from police on any of our students being involved in the JNU incident. And it is not possible to stop students from going out or taking part in agitation or debate.

Q: There is disquiet among certain sections of teachers on the move to ask central universities to fly a 35kg national flag above a certain height. Why such specifications?

A: We are flying the national flag every day on our campus. The conference of VCs passed a resolution to fly the national flag at a central place prominently and proudly. There was no decision to fly it round the clock. There was no discussion about the height of the pole or weight of the flag. I have not received any communication specifying height or weight.

Q: There is a sense in the university that many academic reforms are being rushed through under the diktat of the HRD ministry and UGC. The implementation of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) is one example.

A: The CBCS was started after it was discussed with all VCs and teachers of all universities. It is not correct to say that the ministry and UGC are imposing it on us. In our university, the new courses as per CBCS have been approved by the appropriate forums.

Q: There was one more decision at the level of the ministry that universities have to allow a second shift. Will you appoint more teachers or make the existing teachers do double shift?

A: This was again decided in the VCs' conference. This has been done to enhance the gross enrolment ratio in higher education. We have not decided the details on how to do this. However, we have several academic programmes by way of value addition that are run in the evening with existing staff who get some honorarium.