AMU Degree Row: Chairman, Department of Linguistics refutes allegations

Aligarh December 1, 2021

Taking strong note of the allegations by Dr. Danish Rahim in a section of media regarding his alleged harassment because of praising Honourable Prime Minister, the Chairman, Department of Linguistics, Aligarh Muslim University has refuted the allegations terming them as baseless, unsubstantiated, and without an iota of truth and veracity.

“The allegations by Dr. Danish Rahim that he is being victimized due to his praise of Hon’ble PM is totally false. I have never met him in my office or elsewhere. In fact, I did not ever have any telephonic conversation with him,” Prof. M J Warsi, Chairman, Department of Linguistics stated.

“As far as the issues related to his award of Ph.D. Degree, he is trying to divert the attention. When I had never met him, there was no way that he could be harassed,” he added.

Prof. Warsi further informed that he is taking legal opinion and will soon proceed with legal proceedings. “I am sending a legal notice with him and taking legal opinion on the unfounded allegations made by Dr. Danish Rahim and will proceed with a defamation case against him as the allegations regarding his harassment are totally a figment of his imagination with malafide intentions,” Prof. Warsi said.

A University spokesperson informed that Dr. Danish Rahim had applied for Ph.D. in Language for Advertising, Marketing & Media (LAMM) in session 2016-17. Subsequently, he took admission in the course Ph.D. (LAMM). “The application form submitted by him and the admission card filled under his own signature and thumb impression is in the record,” the spokesperson said.

However, due to typographical error and oversight, he was erroneously issued a Ph.D. in Linguistics. Dr. Danish Rahim has completed his post graduation in LAMM and is thus not eligible for Ph.D. in Linguistics.

“There has been an oversight and inquiry committee comprising Prof. Mehdi Abbas Rizvi, former Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology and Prof. R.K. Tiwari, Principal, Dr Z.A. Dental College has been constituted which will inquire into the whole matter including complaint by Dr. Danish Rahim. The two-member committee will submit its report soon. Dr. Danish Rahim has been asked to get his Ph.D. Degree rectified with a corrected nomenclature,” he said.