Zameeruddin Shah

is vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Speaking with

Eram Agha

, Shah discussed young Muslims’ aspirations, balancing between conservatism and modernity — and his thoughts on Narendra Modi:

What are challenges of being VC of AMU today?

How do you view the aspirations of young Indian Muslims today?

AMU is accused of discrimination against women students with restrictive timings, etc — your view?

Given this backdrop, what is the role AMU can play today?

Formerly in the army, you were sent to control the Gujarat

of 2002. Today, Gujarat’s chief minister is BJP’s prime ministerial candidate — your thoughts?

Lt GeneralWell, AMU was the top university at Indian independence. Our Constitution gave it national importance along with BHU and DU.Unfortunately, over time, certain people started questioning the demand for minority character. There was unrest on campus and we soon lost our moorings. I’d like to clear misconceptions and reiterate now that this is a secular university with an Islamic character, which we will preserve.We don’t want to be viewed as arch-conservatives or ultra-modern. We keep in mind sentiments of predominantly middle-class students. Their parents send them to AMU for its traditions and ethos.Our students have enormous aspirations, and want opportunities to prove themselves. But they’re afraid of discrimination.I ask them who is discriminated against — it is the less educated. Look at North America where South Asians are not discriminated against because they are empowered by education.I am accused of being conservative but girls of Abdullah College cannot access the library because the route is unsafe. Till further expansion, access will be restricted. But they can access material online, everything is available there.And women don’t move out late here because parents don’t approve of it. I wrote letters to parents about allowing girls out after 5 but they showed displeasure — we’ve stuck to parents’ sentiments.We are being overprotective but conditions in Aligarh are different from Delhi. The crime rate is higher here and social norms are different. Wearing jeans is acceptable in Delhi but in Aligarh, it will be frowned upon. It is conservative.Well, AMU is a place where Muslims can get modern education. We started a project to rope in madrassas, so children can get modern education. Madrassas only teach faith or din — we want students to know duniya too.Today, students who memorised the Quran can speak English — this happened in just five months. These students feel empowered by this AMU project and also say they felt cloistered in the madrassa environment.I don’t want to dabble in politics but i am proud that the army did a good job in instilling confidence in both communities. The problem of Gujarat is ghettoisation, primarily of Muslims, which is a very dangerous trend.The riots happened during Modi’s rule but i know one thing — when people are entrusted with the responsibility of serving the nation , they change. They carry the pressure of taking the whole country forward.Responsibilities bring a transformation, no matter what someone’s past was. Becket was friends with the king in Canterbury and entrusted with being archbishop — however, after assuming power, he realised he had to serve the people, not the king.