Centre orders closure of Maulana Azad Education Foundation
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The Ministry of Minority Affairs has recently approved the closure of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), a move that has garnered criticism from student organizations, academics, and experts. Notably, the ministry has not provided an explanation for the closure.
An office order dated February 7, issued by Dhiraj Kumar, notified the closure of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation following a proposal submitted by the Central Waqf Council (CWC). As of November 30, 2023, the MAEF had funds totaling Rs 1,073.26 crore. "The current total pending liabilities amount to Rs 403.55 crores, leaving Rs 669.71 crores available with MAEF. The Society may propose agendas before its General Body to transfer funds amounting to Rs 669.71 crore to the Consolidated Funds of India (CFI)," the ministry ordered.
Furthermore, the ministry instructed the society to transfer all its fixed assets, such as land and buildings, to the CWC. It will also transfer its regular and contractual employees and all non-financial assets to the CWC.
"The employees of MAEF will remain under the administrative control of CWC. Their salary and other remuneration will be paid from the funds of CWC, as per existing terms and conditions agreed by MAEF. 43 contractual employees will be terminated by giving one month's notice, subject to directions of Court writ petitions filed by contractual employees of MAEF," the order stated.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF), initiated in 2009 to provide five-year financial assistance to students belonging to various communities for pursuing MPhil and PhD, was discontinued by the Centre in 2022 due to overlapping with other fellowship schemes for higher education. Consequently, the Maulana Azad Education Foundation received only Rs 1 lakh in the budget 2022, significantly less than the allocation of Rs 70 crore in 2021-22.
Critics have slammed the decision to close MAEF, with the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) Karnataka state office secretary Mahantesh Bilur stating, "The foundation was started with a great desire for the upliftment of minority communities and improving the reach of education among them. But gradually, with every budget announced, the funds have been reduced, with only Rs 1 lakh allotted in 2022-23 for a scheme which was helping thousands of students every year!"
The Social Democratic Party of India expressed disappointment, stating, "While the prime minister on all his stages rants about 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikaas', the Ministry has ordered to close down the Maulana Azad Education Foundation. This decision is a clear message that the 'Sab' in the slogan excludes Muslims from its purview."