The Executive Council of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has appointed Vice-Chancellor Tariq Mansoor to form a committee in regard to the negotiation with the family of Mahendra Pratap, Raja of Mursan (erstwhile Hathras district), who had leased out a land of 3.04 acres for a 90 year period to the university in 1929 that had an expiration in the year 2019.
Perhaps, the descendants of Mahendra Pratap have put forth their demand for returning the land to them. This has called for a need to have one on one negotiation between the committee and the family members, according to Shafey Kidwai, University spokesperson.
The claimed land is divided into two parts. One, on which AMU City High School is operational and the other remaining part has Tikona Park situated.
- Picture Credits: amu.ac.in
As per the sources, the family has proposed the 1.2 acres of land belonging to park be returned to them and the school standing on the other part be renamed after Raja Mahendra Pratap. Even his great-grandson has shown his wish to bring Mahendra Pratap’s contribution in setting up a part of the university to acknowledgement. He also said that he has no intention to make any institutional building dysfunctional.
Rahat Abrar, Director of Urdu Academy has given an argument that Raja Mahendra Pratap is a distinguished alumnus of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College and was also a freedom fighter and philanthropist. Mr. Abrar claims to have collected historical details of Raja’s family links with the University.
“His great grandfather Raja Teekam Singh, and father Raja Ghanshayam Singh of Musran were also close to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Teekam Singh contributed Rs 800 for the construction of the scientific society building at Aligarh. Ghanshayam Singh domated a sum of Rs 1500 for the construction of a room of the boarding house. This room still exists with a plaque in the premises of Sir Syed Hall,” Rahat Abrar said
He also went ahead reminding that Raja Mahendra Pratap was invited to the centenary celebrations of MAO college in 1977 as a chief guest, for being the oldest surviving distinguished alumnus of AMU.
Although the BJP units of Aligarh and Hathras have long been demanding to rename the school. It is now that a committee formed by the university, mulling over the proposal of Raja’s descendants, it would be wise to see what the settlement at last seek for in the ultimate negotiation.
Also in the last year, CM Adityanath had asked his officials to expedite the work related to renaming the school.
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