Jamia VC Appointment Sparks Concerns Over Governmental Interference in Higher Education

The appointment of Professor Mazhar Asif as the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has sparked controversy, with concerns being raised over the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) role in the selection process. The matter has reignited the broader debate on academic autonomy and the extent of governmental influence in central universities.

Legal Framework for VC Appointments

The selection of VCs in central universities follows a structured process laid out by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to uphold transparency and meritocracy. According to the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, a Search-cum-Selection Committee is constituted by the Chancellor or Visitor of the university. This committee, comprising three eminent academics, shortlists candidates based on applications and nominations before submitting a panel of three to five names to the President of India, who, as the Visitor, makes the final decision.

For the recent appointment at JMI, a selection panel consisting of Prof. Mehraj-Ud-Din Mir (Former VC, Central University of Kashmir), Prof. Tariq Mansoor (Former VC, Aligarh Muslim University), and Prof. T.V. Kattimani (VC, Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh) recommended five candidates:

I). Prof. Abdul Alim (Department of Hindi, AMU, Aligarh

II). Prof. Anjum Parvez (Department of Medicine, AMU, Aligarh)

III). Prof. Mazhar Asif (School of Languages, JNU)

IV). Prof. P. Fazal Rahman (VC, Dr. Abdul Haq Urdu University, Kurnool)

V). Prof. Raies Ahmad Qadri (Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir)

However, controversy erupted when reports surfaced that the MoE may have played an undue role in the selection process.

Union Education Ministry’s Role Under Scrutiny

The MoE’s involvement in the appointment of VCs is supposed to be limited to administrative functions, without any discretion in the selection process. However, a letter dated April 7, 2024, from the Joint Secretary to the Government of India to the OSD to the President of India stated, “The Hon’ble Education Minister has recommended that Prof. Mazhar Asif, School of Languages, JNU, New Delhi, may be appointed on the post of Vice-Chancellor of JMI.”

This recommendation has raised concerns that the ministry exceeded its authority, potentially compromising the integrity of the selection process. The situation draws parallels with a Supreme Court ruling on November 30, 2023, in Dr. Premachandran Keezhoth & Anr. v. The Chancellor, Kannur University & Ors. In its judgment, the court held that any decision taken by a statutory authority under external influence is illegal. The ruling reaffirmed that the Chancellor—who, in the case of central universities, is the President of India—must exercise independent judgment.

This is not the first time JMI’s VC appointment process has been questioned. In 2019, a writ petition was filed challenging the appointment of Professor Najma Akhtar as VC, alleging non-compliance with the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988, and the UGC Regulations of 2010. However, the Delhi High Court dismissed the petition in its judgment on May 18, 2023.

The latest controversy has reignited discussions on government interference in university affairs. Critics argue that the Central government’s alleged involvement in the VC appointment at JMI is a direct challenge to academic independence. They note that in December 2023, JMI’s Executive Council had unanimously nominated two candidates for the post, yet the final selection appears to have been influenced by external factors.

While the MoE has not officially responded to the concerns, the controversy continues to grow, raising questions about whether the selection process adhered to legal and ethical standards.

JMI VC response is awaited and will be included in the article, when he responds.