BHU embarks on headcount of Muslims

Varanasi, July 26: In pursuance of instructions by a high-level a committee of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on status of Muslims in India, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) here has embarked on the exercise of headcounting the Muslim members of its family.

BHU sources yesterday said the circular dated July 7, for preparation of a report on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims by the Prime Minister's Committee, 2006 has been sent by University Grants Commission (UGC) to all central varsities including BHU.

In the circular, the varsity has been directed to furnish information on Muslim students, teachers and non-teaching employees.

A stipulated form has also been sent to the varsity, by UGC, for the purpose.

The information will help in knowing the exact number of Muslim and Hindu students, teachers and employees, further divided into SC/ST and OBC category.

The form has been sent to all departments, institutes and faculties, besides various administrative offices of the University.

The entire data gathering exercise, likely to be conducted by a special cell of Statistics Department, could take as long as two months, as the admission process for the new academic session had just begun, sources said.

Registrar (Academic), C L Yadav, confirming the head count of Muslims said the exact minority strength in BHU could only be ascertained after the admission process was over.

UNI