Deoband: Amidst speculations about his fate, Majlis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband today decided to let controversial rector Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi stay for now on the highest post of the most respected seminary in the sub-continent. The Shura will take a final call on his fate after its sub-committee submits its enquiry report on the allegations against Gujarat-based cleric Vastanvi.
The Shura has formed a 3-member committee to inquire into the allegations against Maulana Vastanvi. The committee will submit the report to Shura for final decision. The 3-member committee comprises members of the Shura -- Mufti Ismail (from Maharashtra), Mufti Manzoor Ahmed (Kanpur) and Maulana Ibrahim Malik (Tamil Nadu).
Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi [Photo: Tehelka]
In another apparent move to clip the wings of Vastanvi, the high-powered Shura (governing body) today also appointed Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani as acting rector of Deoband. Maulana Nomani had worked on the post from 8th Dec. 2010 (after the demise of rector Maulana Marghoobur Rahman) till 10th Jan. 2011 when Surat native Maulana Vastanvi was appointed with majority vote as new rector of the seminary by the Shura.
Majlis-e-Shura held a special meeting on 23rd Feb. to decide the fate of Maulana Vastanvi who came under fire from the community after his praising remarks for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the sources at the Saharanpur-based seminary, Maulana Vastanvi put his resignation papers at the meeting. The meeting, attended by 14 of total 18 members, has not readily accepted the resignation, rather has come up with an-all pleasing decision.
On one hand Shura tried to calm down anti-Vastanvi camp by appointing acting rector and forming a committee to inquire the allegations against Vastanvi. In case committee’s report goes against him he will be removed from the post.
On the other hand Shura also gave hope to pro-Vastanvi group by not sacking him now and putting the matter till the report of the inquiry committee.
However, if the committee’s report goes against Vastanvi, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani, currently acting rector, will be permanent rector, says the official press release issued after the Shura meeting in Deoband today. Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani is Shaikhul Hadith of Jamia Islamia Reovri Talab, Banaras.
Meanwhile, the situation at the seminary is said to be peaceful. The teachers and officials are patrolling inside the campus and the gathering of the students has been prohibited to avoid any untoward incident. While security forces imposed 144 in the city and camping outside the campus.
It is interesting to note that the Deoband students who had protested against Vastanvi see today’s development just as a face saving exercise for Vastanvi. They believe he has been ousted but just to face his face and avoid any untoward situation, the matter has been left to the 3-member subcommittee.
Talking to TwoCircles.net, Anas Dehlavi, one of the student leaders, claimed that “Maulana Vastanvi has been sacked and Maulana Abul Qasim has been appointed as rector but to avoid media propaganda that was advocating for Maulana Vasatnvi the committee has been constituted.”
When asked how he can make such claim when the official version of the meeting says something different, the student leader said: “You will come to know soon that the game of Maulana Vastanvi ended today and the formation of the committee is only a formality to confirm it.”
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