In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court affirmed that Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) can simultaneously hold its status as an institution of national importance while retaining its minority character. The Court underscored that an institution’s recognition as nationally significant does not negate its founding identity as a minority establishment.
Central to this ruling is Entry 63 of List I in the Indian Constitution, which classifies AMU among institutions of national importance alongside the Benares Hindu University and Delhi University. This entry outlines the power of Parliament to designate institutions as nationally significant but does not strip away their distinctive origins or values.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud addressed the argument put forth by the Union, which suggested that AMU’s national status warranted a structure that better represents broader social justice goals, including reservations for SC/ST/OBC categories. However, the Court’s majority opinion held that minority character and national importance are not mutually exclusive. As Chandrachud observed, “A university may well be both national and, ergo, of national importance, as well as minority in character.”
The Court’s decision reinforces Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards the rights of minorities to establish and manage educational institutions. The ruling clarified that Parliament’s authority to designate an institution as nationally significant does not supersede the rights granted under Article 30(1). The CJI emphasized that recognizing AMU’s national character does not erode its constitutional minority protections, stressing that each designation—“national” and “minority”—reflects distinct, coexisting aspects.
The ruling draws a clear boundary: while Parliament holds the power to grant national importance, this authority cannot compromise the institution’s founding rights or cultural heritage, thus upholding AMU’s unique position in India’s educational landscape.
