Students from Kolkata’s Aliah University organized a protest rally voicing their opposition to the Waqf Act. The demonstration brought into focus the students’ concerns regarding the growing influence of religious administrative bodies over educational institutions and raised important questions about autonomy, transparency, and governance in public universities.
Backdrop to the Protest
Aliah University, one of the oldest educational institutions in India with roots going back to the late 18th century, has historically been a center of Islamic and modern education. While it continues to evolve in its academic offerings, recent developments around its administrative structure—particularly in relation to the Waqf Act—have sparked discomfort among students.
The Waqf Act governs the administration of properties and institutions endowed for religious or charitable purposes, typically within the Muslim community. While its primary aim is the protection and management of waqf assets, students argue that the Act’s scope—when extended to educational institutions like Aliah University—raises concerns about autonomy, accountability, and state oversight.
The Protest Rally
The protest began on campus grounds, with students gathering near the main academic complex before marching through various departments and administrative buildings. Holding placards and raising slogans, they demanded clarity on the relationship between the university and waqf authorities, and called for safeguards to ensure that educational and administrative decisions remain within the purview of secular and academic principles.
Organizers of the rally highlighted specific apprehensions. One of the major concerns expressed was the fear that if the university were to come under the full purview of waqf governance, it might limit academic freedoms and alter administrative norms that are currently guided by state and university regulations. They also expressed skepticism about the transparency of waqf boards and their alignment with modern educational governance standards.
Demands and Concerns
The protesting students laid out a series of demands. Chief among them was the formation of an independent review committee comprising faculty, students, legal experts, and civil society representatives. This committee, they proposed, should study the implications of the Waqf Act on the university’s functioning and recommend measures to protect its academic autonomy.
Additionally, they called for assurances from the university administration and the state government that any affiliation or connection with waqf bodies would not infringe upon the rights of students or dilute the educational standards of the institution. The students also urged the university to maintain transparency in its decision-making process and to keep the student community informed of any changes to its governance model.
University’s Initial Response
While the administration has yet to issue an official statement, internal sources suggest that discussions are underway to address the concerns raised. Faculty members have reportedly expressed sympathy with the students’ views, agreeing that any change in administrative structure should be approached with caution and in full consultation with stakeholders.
Some officials have also emphasized the historical uniqueness of Aliah University, which merges traditional Islamic education with modern academics, and the importance of preserving its dual heritage while ensuring it remains a secular, inclusive institution.
Student Activism and Its Significance
This protest is not the first instance of student-led agitation at Aliah University. In the past, students have taken strong stands on issues ranging from infrastructural development to administrative appointments. What makes this movement particularly noteworthy, however, is the broader ideological debate it introduces—about the nature of public education, the separation of religion and state, and the future of historically significant institutions in a secular democracy.
The rally by Aliah University students serves as a reminder of the crucial role that young citizens play in shaping the direction of public discourse. As debates continue over the Waqf Act’s reach and relevance in educational spaces, the voices of students demanding transparency, autonomy, and inclusivity deserve to be heard. The protest marks not just a moment of dissent, but a call for dialogue—one that could shape the governance of institutions like Aliah University for years to come.