Jamia comes out with book to correct 'perverted' image

Facing a "stereotype" against its decades old nationalist image in the wake of the Batla House encounter, Jamia Milia Islamia university is coming out with a book to "correct" the "perverted" perception about the varsity and make people aware of its deep-rooted values.

The book, a collection of articles written by several academics and Jamia insiders, is meant to make people know the "idea of the university which has been standing for plural nationhood and composite culture".

"The book is an attempt to correct the public perception about our university that has largely perverted after the September 19 shootout in the nearby locality of Jamia Nagar and subsequent arrest of two of our students," university spokesperson Rakhshanda Jalil said.

Articles compiled in the book, called 'The Idea of a University: Jamia Milia Islamia', were written shortly after the shootout in connection with the last year's serial blasts in the national capital.

Jalil said the book is a reminder about the over 80-year-old university's contribution to the country and its values.

"The September 19 encounter is not over as far as this university is concerned, its effects are still being felt. And it seems that it will take us a long time to rub away the tar that has been painted on us for no fault of ours," Jalil, also the editor of the book, says in its preface. "The university is facing a stereotype after the incident."

The book contains articles by Martha Nussbaum, Mukul Kesavan, Mushirul Hasan, Githa Hariharan, Ayesha Siddiqi, Sudhir Chandra, Meher Fatima Hussain, Lakshmi Subramanian and Rakhshanda Jalil.

Noted American philosopher Martha Nussbaum has written an article describing the "adverse impact" of the encounter on the university's secular and peace-loving image, she said.

"The book also contains insightful essays and some deeply personal observations about living and working in Jamia. Most were written in the critical days immediately after the encounter," Jalil said.

Two students of the university -– Mohammad Shakil and Zia-ur-Rehman -- were arrested by Delhi Police soon after the Batla House encounter in connection with the Delhi serial blasts.

The university had come under the severe criticism from several sections after it decided to extend legal aid to the two accused till they were proven guilty.

Jamia, whose founding fathers include Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Mohammad Ali, Dr MA Ansari and Jamna Lal Bajaj, has always been a peace loving institution which has its roots in the secular and non-violent legacy of our freedom struggle, Jalil added.