Thank you very much for your letter of 3rd November 1998. The points mentioned in your letter are receiving our closest attention and you would be happy to note that the Academic Council and the Executive Council have met adequately and the number would be far in excess of the times these bodies have met prior to May 1995. There is not a single issue which is awaiting approval by these bodies when about 300 items had remained pending for nearly a decade before I joined this University.

The last meeting of the University Court was held in May 1996. Another meeting was to be held in December 1996 when the University got closed on account of the situation beyond our control. Another similar meeting fixed in November 1997 got postponed to avoid loss of life and damage to property as the situation created by the miscreants was full of sinister foreboding and the atmosphere was so vitiated that the postponement became unavoidable. Preparations were being made to hold a meeting of the University Court in December. But you are already aware of the arson and loot unleashed by the elements hostile to the University. We do hope that the situation will improve and we will be in a position to hold the meeting of the University Court which involves large scale preparation and invitation to a large number of members from all over the country.

About 400 appointments have been made on the basis of the system of merit and transparency fully in vogue in the University. Those who have been securing third divisions and have taken no interest in the academic pursuits are feelings disgruntled and raising unnecessary hue and cry. It would, therefore, be desirable to ask these critics to produce facts and figures of the appointments which, in their view, are irregular.

We would be very happy to look into any case of irregularity and corruption, if referred to us by any individual in a concrete manner.

Shahabuddin's Letter to VC, 23 Nov., 1998

I thank you for your kind letter of 13 November. In the meantime the University was closed sine die, almost in a panic reaction. I wish you had not done so. I also hopc the University would open soon.

I have taken note of the fact that the Academic Council and the Executive Council had 'adequate' number of meetings. I do not know what 'adequate' means. The  Act/Statutes lay down how frequently it should meet. As for the agenda, only when a notice is issued, the Members can suggest additional items for the agenda.

I believe the Court has many vacancies. So first the vacancies must be filled. If co-option is to be done, the Court may have to meet twice in quick succession.

I agree with you that the critics must cite specific case of irregularity or corruption or nepotism. On the other hand, I hope that the University has totally abandoned, under you, the earlier practice of 'globalising' vacancies and filling them in an ah hoc manner and that all academic and non-academic appointments are being made in accordance with the prescribed selection/recruitment system. There is much dissatisfaction with the meteoric rise of Prof. Jafri.

I have known him for a long time and like him. The point, however, is why he should hold 4 posts: Prov-VC, Registrar, Director of Academic Programme, Controller of Admission and Examination, at the same time. In fact, if you had 4, perhaps 5, senior people in these posts (by bifurcating Admission and Examination), you would have at your disposal 5 channels of communication and consultation instead of only one, apart from the psychological impact such dispersal of power would have made.

I have noted your silence on the Student's Union. I think either the Constitution of the Union should be changed or elections should beheld in accordance with it. An ad-hoc Union will never be acceptable to the student body or be of any help to you as a means of interaction with the students.

I also feel that the representation of Old Boys should be decentralised, State-wise and for that the University should update and maintain Register of Graduates/Old Boys, Representation of Old Boys in the Court should be decided in proportion to the number of Graduates/Old Boys domiciled in any State/UT. Every State should be encouraged to organise an AMU Old Boys Association which should hold the election to fill its quota.

I request you to consider these suggestions.