BeyondHeadlines Staff Reporter
Deoband/New Delhi: Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi has been removed as the rector of the historic seminary Darul Uloom, Deoband in Uttar Pradesh.
The all powerful Majlis-e-Shoora took the decision on Sunday after a three member committee set up submitted its report. He was then asked to step down. But as he refused, the Majlis voted him out by nine is to four votes.
Vastanvi was dragged into controversy immediately after he became the Mohtamim or VC of the 145 year old madarsa after he purportedly praised Gujarat chief minster Narendra Modi for his “development work.”
He later clarified: “There is no question of me praising him (Modi) at all… Muslims who worked hard progressed, but Modi has no role to play in it”
Meanwhile, Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, the acting VC, has been given the full time job.
Opposition BJP has called it a “disappointment for all secular forces.” BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told media in the capital, “It is most unfortunate that he was not removed on charges of corruption or incompetency or for that matter for moral turpitude but for speaking the truth.”
Vastanvi has alleged that “personal interests” has done him out.
He said: “Those who have been using the Darul Uloom for personal and political ends did not let me work for seven months…. I am someone who has concerns all over the country.” Vastanvi was hinting at Maulana Madni’s clout over the seminary.
He, however, has reiterated his commitment to educating Muslims. “My removal will not affect my plans to spread education among Muslim in India.” He has gone to Europe to raise funds for his educational institutions and to set up a new medical college.
He added though latter that he won’t challenge the decision. “Though I am not happy with the decision, I am not going to challenge it in court or by any other way,” he said.
He also shun allegation of being ‘political.’
Hailing from Gujarat, Vastanvi runs about 20 colleges, 100 madrasas and has an MBA degree himself.
