(Important: Before you read this article, you must have a proper understating of the Debates at Oxford & Cambridge Unions. See the debates at You Tube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1_1NipGGMc).
It is an introductory article of the Siddons Union Club. Revivalist Team is writing a book on a complete history, Vision and Struggle to revive the Club by the Revivalist Team.)
''Sir Saiyyad's vision and his laborious efforts to meet the demands of challenging times are highly commendable. The dark post era was indeed hopeless and only men like Raja Mohan Roy and Sir Saiyyad could penetrate through its thick veil to visualize the Nation's destinies. They rightly believed that the past had its merits and its legacies were valuable but it was the future that a society was called upon to cope with. I offer my homage to Sir Saiyad for his vision and courage that withstood all obstructions both from the friends and the foes'' (Mr. Inder Kumar Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India).
It is an introductory article of the Siddons Union Club. Revivalist Team is writing a book on a complete history, Vision and Struggle to revive the Club by the Revivalist Team.)
''Sir Saiyyad's vision and his laborious efforts to meet the demands of challenging times are highly commendable. The dark post era was indeed hopeless and only men like Raja Mohan Roy and Sir Saiyyad could penetrate through its thick veil to visualize the Nation's destinies. They rightly believed that the past had its merits and its legacies were valuable but it was the future that a society was called upon to cope with. I offer my homage to Sir Saiyad for his vision and courage that withstood all obstructions both from the friends and the foes'' (Mr. Inder Kumar Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India).
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| Sir Syed Ahmed Khan |
Admiration of Cambridge and Oxford University
Sir Syed visited England where he saw the Education System of Cambridge and Oxford Universities, and was filled with admiration of their system. Here, he began to prepare a Road-Map for the formation of a Muslim University, and had keenly studied the Oxford and Cambridge before he established Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, now Aligarh Muslim University. Sir Syed envisioned that one day M.A.O. College will become ''Oxford of East''.
''It is the wish of Syed Ahmad Khan to make as intimate as possible the connection between his college and the University of Cambridge, and it is his hope that some day the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College may be formally affiliated to the University'' Graham, 1885:405.
Affiliation of M.A.O. College with University of Cambridge; Through the Students' Debating Society
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was the first educationalist to introduce Students' Debating Society in country on the lines of Oxford and Cambridge Universities in shape of the ''College Union Club'', on the same principles of Cambridge Union Society and Oxford Union Society, where the Scholars of not only India but the world used to have debates of Rich Variety and 'High Intellect'. This College Union Club later came to be known as ''Siddons Union Club''. It was the Union Club which made the MAO College Oxford of East or the Cambridge of India. Unlike other Universities of India, Aligarh Muslim University has a debating chamber on the lines Cambridge Union Debating Chamber and Oxford Union Debating Chamber. Professor Theodore Beck wrote to Professor Raleigh when he reach Aligarh,''You will, I think, be interested in hearing about the new Cambridge founded by the Indian Mohammedans''. From the very beginning of the College, Sir Syed Ahamd Khan and his son, Syed Mahmood, projected the college as a Cambridge of India; over their own clothes, college students wore gown modeled after the one Syed Mahmud had worn at Christ's College. Every tradition and custom of the students of University of Cambridge were introduced by Syed Mahmud to the students of MAO College which is now known as ''Aligarh Tahzeeb''. MAO College' students life was the ditto of the students of University of Cambridge.
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| Debating Chamber of Siddons Union Club (Picture is used as a Model, Source: Google) |
''The most important of these Cambridge Like Institutions was the Union Club. Sayyid Ahmad had included a students' debating society in his earliest ''dream'' of the Muslim College'', David Lelyveld. Professor Henry George Impey Siddons was the first principal of M.A.O. College, Alumnus of University of Oxford, and it was after his name the 'College Union Club' came to be known as ''Siddons Union Club''. Club was founded by one of the Ex-Presidents of Cambridge Union Society, Professor Theodore Beck, and it was renamed after Henry George Impey Siddons to honor him. In 1883, Syed Mahmud traveled England to recruit a Principal for the College and he requested his close friend of Cambridge, Theodore Beck, to join the college. Sir Syed Ahamd Khan and Theodore Beck became familiar to each other and Prof. Beck easily understood the idea of Sir Syed for the establishment of a Cambridge in India. In this framework of mind, he set out on his appointed task to bring the breath of Cambridge to Aligarh. Soon after taking over Siddons, he wrote an article in the Institute Gazette holding out the prospect of affiliation to Cambridge. Prof. Beck gave the idea of a Students' Debating Society to be established in the College in order to affiliate the college with Cambridge. He was an Ex-President of Cambridge Union Society, Students' Debating Society of University of Cambridge and sent a letter to the President of Cambridge Union Society. At his instigation the Cambridge Union even passed, with one dissent, a vote of good will.
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| Henry George Impey Siddons |
At the foundation of the Siddons Union, the following message was sent from Allygarh to Cambridge :- ''The President of the ' Siddons Union Club of the Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College, presents his compliments to the President of the Cambridge University Union Society, and begs to inform him that the Cambridge University Union Society has given birth to a similar, though at present small, Society in the far east. He invites the sympathy of members of the ancient and flourishing society at Cambridge for the youthful club founded by men who, though different in race, are citizens of the same empire. The creed of Allygarh is, that the relationship of Englishman and Indian should be that of brothers. He hopes that if any member of the C.U.U.S. should visit Allygarh he will experience a practical exemplification of that aim.
To this the following reply was received : — " At the first private business meeting of this term, the following resolution was proposed by the President of the Society (Mr W. Howard Stables, Trinity College), and seconded by Mr J. Austen Chamberlain, Trinity College, and carried with one dissentient : — " ' That the Cambridge University Union Society desires to express its satisfaction that a Society based on the same principles as itself has been founded at Allygurh by one of its ex-Presidents ; and as a means of displaying its sense of the brotherhood which exists between all subjects of our sovereign, and also of the close tie that binds the two Societies together, herein sends its heartfelt sympathy and congratulation to the President and members of that Society'.
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| Theodore Beck |
''Sir Syed Ahmad Khan inaugurated and presided over the Siddons club's first public debate held on November 13, 1884; the debated in the Union Club was- The spread of female education is to be desired by home tuition, not through schools and colleges"(S. Mohsin Raza), the motion was defeated by three votes. The debate developed at M.A.O. College for the education of girls, and it was the result of this debate that the establishment of Women's College in the University took place. The importance of this club can be understood by the topics of debates were being discussed in the chamber; Female Education, Pardah System, Present Marriage System among the Mohammedan of India, That the Mohammedans shall never rise again, That the Indian Universities have proved a failure, That this house prefers Indian Costume to English Dress.
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| Foundation Stone of The Siddons Union Debating Hall (Union Hall Building) |
'The Siddons Union' was established in the year 1884 at Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, the present day Aligarh Muslim University. It began the activities of debates in Strachey Hall. On 22nd February 1905, Theodore Morison, the principal of M.A.O.College, laid the foundation of ''The Siddons Union Debating Hall'', the debating chamber, which consist of a debating hall, a library and a reading room. In 1920, when the M.A.O. College became the University, the Club was renamed as ''Muslim University Students' Union Club''. In 1952-53, a new Union was established which came to be known as ''AMU Students' Union'', which is said to be the first Official Student Union of the World. The entire structure of the debating union changed.
Until 1952, the Vice-Chancellor was always the President of Club, whereas, the student body elected the Vice President, Librarian and Hon. Secretary, with 10 cabinet members. Afterwards, the Vice Chancellor became the Patron; the position of Librarian was abolished in 1958 and replaced by that of the Vice-President.
Until 1952, the Vice-Chancellor was always the President of Club, whereas, the student body elected the Vice President, Librarian and Hon. Secretary, with 10 cabinet members. Afterwards, the Vice Chancellor became the Patron; the position of Librarian was abolished in 1958 and replaced by that of the Vice-President.
AMU Students' Union adopted a constitution of its own and formally registered as an Official Union of the University. The Siddons Union Club remains suspended since 1945 and, finally in 1960-61, the Historical Club vanished.
Workings of the Siddons Union Club
- Parliamentary Debates on the model of Cambridge and Oxford Union Societies (The Model of Debates in Siddons; See this debate on You Tube This House believes Israel is a Rogue State| The Cambridge Union; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjkivkkZYNo),
- Panel Discussions (On this model; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBv1XhkeS_0),
- Head to Head Debates (On this Model; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyjamZvjuUQ),
- Interactions with the prominent personalities of the world (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlITeRcTZsc),
- National & International Debates,
- Oxford Prize Best Speaking Competition (On this Model- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC8V4tzSHGQ),
Historical Debating Chambers of the World
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| The Cambridge Union Debating Hall (Source: Google) |
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| The Siddons Union Debating Hall (Source: Google) |
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| The Oxford Union Debating Hall (Source: Google) |
(Inside View of The Chambers)
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| The Oxford Union Debating Hall (Source: Google) |
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| The Cambridge Union Debating Hall (Source: Google) |
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| The Siddons Union Debating Hall |
A List of Few People who have debated in the Siddons Union ( List is not Exhaustive)
Siddons Union Club pertains the models of Cambridge and Oxford Union Societies, known for their World Class Debates and hosting of National and International Politicians, Writers, Speakers, Thinkers, Journalists, Actors, Singers, Musicians etc. Some of the people who have debated in Siddons Union Debating Chamber are as follows;
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| V. K. Krishna Menon, Defense Minister, Indian Ambassador To U.N. & U.K. |
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| Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, Politician, Writer, Educational |
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| M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, The First Lok Sabha Speaker, Government of India |
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| Raj Gopala Acharya, Last Governor General of India, Bharat Ratna |
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| Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Arbia |
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| Mohammed Anwar El Sadat, President of Egypt |
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| Mohammad Raza Shah Pahalvi, Shah of Iran |
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| Sorayya Pahalvi, Queen of Iran |
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| Edward Morgan Froster, Writer |
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| Prof. S. R. Rangnathan, Mathematician |
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| Prof. Jadunath Sarkar, Historian |
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| Prof. Humayun Kabir, Writer & Politician |
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| V. V. Giri, President of India, Bharat Ratna |
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| Y. B. Chavan, Deputy Prime Minister of India |
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| Bezwada Gopala Reddi, Chief Minister of Andhra State, Governor of U.P. |
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| Ghulam Mohammad Bakhshi, Deputy Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir |
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| Mohammad Zahir Shah, King of Afghanistan |
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| Yusuf Jamal Pasha of Arabia, Ottoman Empire |
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| Mohammad Hatta, Vice President, Prime Minister of Indonesia |
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| Jameel El Nasir, President of United Arab Republic |
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| Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Nation, India |
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| Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India |
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| Morar Ji Desai, Prime Minister of India |
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| Maulaana Abul Kalam Azad, Education Minister, Freedom Fighter |
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| C. V. Raman, Nobel Prize Winner (Physics), Bharat Ratna |
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| Arthur C. Compton, Nobel Prize Winner (Physics) |
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| E. V. Stakman, Nobel Prize Winner (Peace) |
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| A. R. Todd, Nobel Prize Winner (Chemistry) |
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| H.H. Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah, Aga Khan III |
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| Nizam Of Hyderabad |
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| Sir Ross Masood, Grandson of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan |
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| Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Freedom Fighter |
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| Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Father of Pakistan |
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| Sir Homy. P. Mody, Administrator of India |
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| Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India |
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| Dr. Zakir Hussain, President of India |
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| Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, President of India |
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| Mohinder Lal, Hockey Player, Indian Hockey Team |
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| Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah, Chief Justice of India |
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| Kuldip Nayyar, Political Journalist |
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| Boobli. George. Vergese, Senior Journalist, Alumnus of Cambridge |
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| Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali, Birdman of India |
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| Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar |
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| Chinese Cultural Mission to India (1952) Eleven Members of Mission: Ting-Si-Lin, Ny-Tei Clum, Chin Hino Yuan, Fung Yu Lan, Dsehu Se-Lin, Tin Chas Pe, Lee I-Mang, Chein Wai Zang, Yet Ting, Chein Hen Sang |
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| Mother Teressa, Missionary |
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| Dalai Lama, Spiritual Leader, Tibet |
Partition of India and Siddons Union Club
Debate of ''Two State Solution'' in the country resulted chaos, shock and triggered a series of violence in the country which led to distrust between Hindus and Muslims. A majority of Aligarh Intelligentsia was to settle down in Pakistan leaving a sizable minority behind in a state of confusion, fear, detachment and insecurity of the future of remaining Muslims. The academic environment of Aligarh Muslim University was hugely disturbed amidst the chaos of the Partition and transition of the Government overnight.
Since 1945, it is evident that Muslim Intelligentsia of Aligarh Muslim University was facing a lot of criticism and were distrusted among their peers, resulting in the disturbance of the Academic environment, this hampered the academic activities of the club. In the aftermath of the Partition, the remaining academicians suffered a major setback and it took them a considerable amount of time to recover and function productively. Siddons Union Club fell into obscurity due to the absence of function since 1945, it finally vanished in 1961.
Demand of All-Inclusive Students' Union
A demand of the students all over the world emerged for the Students' Union to give a political platform to students for representation and to listen the grievances of the students. In all the Universities of the world, Students' Unions were being introduced. The term 'Union' was going through a semantic shift from a Society or Association to an All Inclusive Organisation especially in political context.
Siddons Union Club was a Students' Debating Society of top Intellectuals of the University to debate and to provide a forum of Discussions and questioning of individuals' viewpoints. It was an offshoot and affiliated with Cambridge Union Society. It followed the complete model of Students' Debating Society of Cambridge. It was a close group of selected students that formed a society for high intellect level debates.
In 1952, when the Students' Union demand grew in Aligarh Muslim University, Siddons Union Club was incorporated into AMU Students' Union. AMU Students' Union was an all inclusive Union of the students. Siddons Union Club and AMU Students' Union differed in functions and nature. AMU Students' Union came into existence as an Official Students' Union of the Aligarh Muslim University. Siddons Union Club worked on the constitution adopted from the Cambridge Union Society while AMU Students' Union adopted its own constitution.
According to the constitution of the Cambridge Union Society and Oxford Union Society, only two similar bodies in nature and functions could be in agreement and affiliation. Two students' debating societies i.e. Siddons Union Club and Cambridge Union Society, being same in nature and functions, were in affiliations but AMU Students' Union differed in functions due to which the long and ever lasting ties with Cambridge had lost.
Siddons Union Club was the ''Dream'' of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as his wish was to develop the strong connection between MAO College, now Aligarh Muslim University, and University of Cambridge. Sir Syed in his life gave a great importance to this club and was himself the Chief Patron of the Siddons Union Club. The prestigious club was a ''backbone'' of the Aligarh Movement as it was ''unifying'' the Intellectuals, Thinkers, Writers, Speakers, Politicians, Kings of the world with Aligarh Muslim University.
It was the Siddons Union Club due to which Aligarh Movement traveled into different countries and parts of Indian Sub-Continent. It was also important because of its International Recognition, a platform for the intellectuals of Aligarh Muslim University to represent in the different Universities of the world. Siddons Union Club, Students' Debating Society, could develop ties with the other Students' Debating Societies of the prominent universities of the world but its incorporation into AMU Students' Union led to discontinuing the relations with other Students' Debating Societies' of world's best universities.
Since 1945, it is evident that Muslim Intelligentsia of Aligarh Muslim University was facing a lot of criticism and were distrusted among their peers, resulting in the disturbance of the Academic environment, this hampered the academic activities of the club. In the aftermath of the Partition, the remaining academicians suffered a major setback and it took them a considerable amount of time to recover and function productively. Siddons Union Club fell into obscurity due to the absence of function since 1945, it finally vanished in 1961.
Demand of All-Inclusive Students' Union
A demand of the students all over the world emerged for the Students' Union to give a political platform to students for representation and to listen the grievances of the students. In all the Universities of the world, Students' Unions were being introduced. The term 'Union' was going through a semantic shift from a Society or Association to an All Inclusive Organisation especially in political context.
Siddons Union Club was a Students' Debating Society of top Intellectuals of the University to debate and to provide a forum of Discussions and questioning of individuals' viewpoints. It was an offshoot and affiliated with Cambridge Union Society. It followed the complete model of Students' Debating Society of Cambridge. It was a close group of selected students that formed a society for high intellect level debates.
In 1952, when the Students' Union demand grew in Aligarh Muslim University, Siddons Union Club was incorporated into AMU Students' Union. AMU Students' Union was an all inclusive Union of the students. Siddons Union Club and AMU Students' Union differed in functions and nature. AMU Students' Union came into existence as an Official Students' Union of the Aligarh Muslim University. Siddons Union Club worked on the constitution adopted from the Cambridge Union Society while AMU Students' Union adopted its own constitution.
According to the constitution of the Cambridge Union Society and Oxford Union Society, only two similar bodies in nature and functions could be in agreement and affiliation. Two students' debating societies i.e. Siddons Union Club and Cambridge Union Society, being same in nature and functions, were in affiliations but AMU Students' Union differed in functions due to which the long and ever lasting ties with Cambridge had lost.
Siddons Union Club was the ''Dream'' of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as his wish was to develop the strong connection between MAO College, now Aligarh Muslim University, and University of Cambridge. Sir Syed in his life gave a great importance to this club and was himself the Chief Patron of the Siddons Union Club. The prestigious club was a ''backbone'' of the Aligarh Movement as it was ''unifying'' the Intellectuals, Thinkers, Writers, Speakers, Politicians, Kings of the world with Aligarh Muslim University.
It was the Siddons Union Club due to which Aligarh Movement traveled into different countries and parts of Indian Sub-Continent. It was also important because of its International Recognition, a platform for the intellectuals of Aligarh Muslim University to represent in the different Universities of the world. Siddons Union Club, Students' Debating Society, could develop ties with the other Students' Debating Societies of the prominent universities of the world but its incorporation into AMU Students' Union led to discontinuing the relations with other Students' Debating Societies' of world's best universities.
Introduction of the Students' Union in Cambridge and Oxford: AMU's Founding Model
- In 1961, University of Oxford introduced its Students' Union but did not Incorporate their 'Students' Debating Society', Oxford Union Society, into Students' Union, rendering it autonomous. New Union in University of Oxford came be to known as Oxford University Students' Union (OUSU).
- In 1971, University of Cambridge also introduced Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU), but maintained the independence of the Students' Debating Society, the Cambridge Union Society.
- Oxford Union Society, commonly referred as Oxford Union, still continues to be a Debating Union while Oxford University Students' Union is an Official Union of the Oxford University, likewise Cambridge Union Society, commonly referred as Cambridge Union, still continues to be a Debating Union and Cambridge University Students' Union is an Official Union of Cambridge University.
- Sir Syed established ''Siddons Union Club'', commonly referred as the Siddons Union, on the Model of Cambridge Union Society, Students' Debating Society, not on the model of Cambridge University Students' Union; it wasn't even introduced in those days. Also, the Oxford Union Society and Oxford University Students' Union differs in functions. Siddons Union's founding model was Cambridge Union and Oxford Union, not the students' unions. Cambridge Union Society, like Siddons Union Club, is a society for the selected intellectuals of the University to debate and discuss the ideas of Social Reforms while Cambridge University Students Union is a political platform and all inclusive for the students' of University of Cambridge.
- Incorporating Siddons Union Club into AMU Students Union went against the vision of the Founder. Sir Syed Ahamd Khan made the Siddons Union Club into his ''Dream'' and was the first in the country to introduce the Students' Debating Society on the model of Cambridge and Oxford. Aligarh Muslim University is also only university in India to have a Historical Debating Chamber, Siddons Union Debating Chamber, on the model of Historical Cambridge Union Debating Chamber and Oxford Union Debating Chamber, world known chambers for their high intellect level debates and discussions.
- Having the suit in mind, we raised the demand to separate the Siddons Union Club from AMU Students' Union in order to restore the ties with Cambridge Union Society and to develop the ties with other Students' Debating Societies of the World. So, the idea was that the Siddons Union Club should be revived under the model of Cambridge Union Society, as an Independent Students' Debating Society to sustain the legacy of our reformers and the spirit of the Club.
Voice for The Siddons Union
On 7th July, 2015, we began struggle for the revival of Siddons Union Club as an Independent Debating Society. We campaigned two year tirelessly for the club. Thanks to the reputed news website Scroll.in to notice our struggle and to give us voice at a national level. The issue of Siddons emerged as a major cause of the time. At the every corner of Aligarh, Students, Teachers, And Alumni were discussing the Siddons Union Club.
Benefits of the Revival of Siddons Union Club
- It will once again develop a link between Aligarh Muslim University and Cambridge University.
- There will be exchange of debaters between Siddons Union Club, Cambridge Union Society and Oxford Union Society.
- Siddons Union Club will make us ''Oxford of East'', by a debating chamber under the model of Oxford and Cambridge.
- Top Intellectuals of India and World will become a part of the Aligarh Muslim University through Associate Membership, Honorary Life Memberships of the Club.
- After 65 years, the Siddons Union Debating Hall will once again be opened for Academic Activities.
- Our Intellectuals will be at one platform to discuss the issues, problems and solutions of Community, Nation and World.
- Our students will be more competent than now when they will watch top world Leaders, Researchers, Journalists, and Writers speaking in Our Historical Debating Chamber.
- Our World Class debates will be watched all over India & the world through Social Media Like You Tube and Online Memberships.
- More knowledge on diversified issues will be gained by our students watching the sessions in the House, via You Tube and Online Memberships.
- Our Students/Researchers will exchange the ideas with the Professors/Researchers of IITs, IIMs, IISCs, and other Universities of India and World.
- There will be exchange of Scholars of AMU to Other Universities/ Institutions of India and World.
- We'll bridge the gap between us and the world through this platform.
- Interactions with World Class Scholars will enhance the personality of Our Researchers and Students.
- It will create an environment of Multi-Disciplinary Research in AMU.
- Our Professors/ Researchers will develop a link with the Professors/Scholars of other Universities of India and World.
- AMU will become Politically Strong and Viable through the Honorary Life Members of the Club, restoring our prestigious history.
- The Maligned image of AMU on National and International Level will be transformed.
- Aligarh Muslim University is the Only University in India to have a debating chamber like Oxford and Cambridge,which makes us unique among all Indian Universities.
- We will be the only University in India to organize head to head debates, National and International Debates among the Thinkers.
- The rate of Academic Excellence of Our University will be much higher than now.
- The Siddons Debating Union will develop an environment of Discussions and Debates in our University.
- AMU Students will participate World Universities Debate Championship, Asian Universities Debate Championship, South Asia Universities Debate Championship.
- Aligarh Muslim University can host World Universities Debate Championship, Asian Universities Debate Championship, South Asia Universities Debate Championship in Siddons Union Debating Chamber.
- Social events of the club such as the 'Honorary Life Members Meet' once in a year will provide a platform for Intellectuals of India and the World to discuss the problems of Nation and the world.
A.M.U. Students' Union Election, 2016-17
During our struggle for the reforms in debating pattern of AMU and the revival of Debating Society, Students' Union Elections were announced by the Honorable Vice Chancellor. We, the 'Revivalist Team' proclaimed that we will support the candidates in the election who will help us to revive the club.
Mohammad Abul Farah (Shazli), a presidential candidate, came up with his prime objective in election to revive and separate the Siddons Union Club from AMU Students Union. Committed to revive the debating club for us, he opined that AMU Students' Union needs the 'Think-Tank' of our University and Student Representatives to work together in the Students' Union, an ideal pathway of Sir Syed had shown to us. Perhaps, he could not meet the demands of the students of our University or the crucial issue of the revival of Siddons Union Club was not understood by the students and finally, he was defeated by his rival.
We, the Revivalist Team, along with the President AMUSU, Mr. Faizul Hasan and the AMU Students' Union Representatives met the Honorable Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. Zameeruddin Shah, to discuss the matter of Siddons Revival. He himself studied the case of its separation from AMU Students' Union and after our continuous meetings and discussions, he finally agreed to revive the prestigious club on 27th March, 2017. It was the day when Sir Syed died in 1898 and we paid the tribute and dedicated the revival of Siddons Union Club to the Great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
Guests to Invite in Siddons Union, 2017-18- |
| Mohammad Abul Farah |
Mohammad Abul Farah (Shazli), a presidential candidate, came up with his prime objective in election to revive and separate the Siddons Union Club from AMU Students Union. Committed to revive the debating club for us, he opined that AMU Students' Union needs the 'Think-Tank' of our University and Student Representatives to work together in the Students' Union, an ideal pathway of Sir Syed had shown to us. Perhaps, he could not meet the demands of the students of our University or the crucial issue of the revival of Siddons Union Club was not understood by the students and finally, he was defeated by his rival.
Struggle Continued-
Even after our plethora of struggles, we were unhinged and continued to struggle for the vision and cause of our beloved Founder. We went through the abuses, mockery, and humiliations but our determination never changed even after seeing the violent opposition. We kept approaching the Sitting Students' Union, 2016-17, for our demands. It took more than six months to convince the Students' Union for the demand. At last, the Students' Union agreed to pursue our demand before the Honorable Vice Chancellor.
Meeting With the Honorable Vice Chancellor, AMUSU, and Revivalist Team
Meeting With the Honorable Vice Chancellor, AMUSU, and Revivalist Team
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| Honorable VC, AMU Students' Union And Revivalist Team |
Restoration of the Siddons Union
The Honorable Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen Zameeruddin Shah, had asked the revivalist team to draft the instructions of the separation and Constitution for Siddons Union Club. Revivalist Team took 1 month and 5 days in writing the constitution of the Newly revived Siddons Union Club. Constitution and other related documents were being reviewed by the Honorable Vice Chancellor time to time. Amidst the process of its revival, the Honorable Vice Chancellor inaugurated the Siddons Union Club. The Historical Function for the restoration of Siddons Union Club was held on 11th April, 2017 by the AMU Students' Union. Revivalist Team was honored by the Honorable Vice Chancellor.
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| Honorable Vice Chancellor, AMU Students' Union and Revivalist Team' Representative |
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| Revivalist Team At the Historical Siddons Union Debating Chamber |
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| Revivalist Team at the Restoration of Siddons Union Sitting at the Front |
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| Amartaya Sen, Indian Economist, Nobel Memorial Prize Winner (Economic Sciences), Bharat Ratna |
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| Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Nobel Prize Winner |
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| Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Prize Winner (Peace), Founder Bachpan Bachao Andolan |
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| Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations |
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| Mehdi Hasan, Political Journalist, Alumnus of Oxford |
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| Professor Cornell West, American Philosopher, Political Activist, Social Critic |
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| Shashi Tharoor, Politican and Member of Parliament |
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| Professor Tariq Ramadan, Oxford, Philosopher and Writer |
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| Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister of India |
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| P. Chidambaram, Former Union Finance Minister, Indian National Congress, Lawyer |
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| Dalai Lama, Living Honorary Life Member of the Club |
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| Professor Romila Thapar, Eminent Historian |
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| Arudhati Roy, Political Activist, Indian Author |
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| Irom Sharmila, The Iron Lady, Civil Rights and Political Activist |
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| Anil Chitrakar, Entrepreneur, Nepal |
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| Anuradaha Koirala, Women's Rights Activist, Nepal |
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| A.T. Ariyaratne, Founder Sarvodaya Sharmadana Movement, Sri Lanka |
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| Basil Fernando, Jurist, Author, Human Rights Activist, Sri Lanka |
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| Barkha Dutt, Indian Journalist, Padma Shri |
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| Ravish Kumar, Indian Journalist, Writer, TV Anchor |
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| Karan Thapar, Noted Indian Journalist |
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| Kamal Hasan, Indian Film Actor, Director, Producer, Padama Shri, Padama Bhushan, |
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| Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament, President of AIMIM |
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| Maulana Mahmood Madni, Member of Parliament |
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| Meira Kumar, First Woman Lok Sabha Speaker |
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| Sonia Gandhi, President of Indian National Congress |
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| Pranab Mukherjee, His Excellency President of India |
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| Hamid Ansari, His Excellency Vice President of India |
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| Munawwar Rana, Urdu Poet |
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| Frank F Islam, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur |
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| Nadeem Tarin, Philanthropist & Entrepreneur |
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| Sampooran Singh Kalra Alias Gulzar, Indian Poet, Lyricist, and Film Director |
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| Dr. Pandit Anand Mohan Zutshi Alias Gulzar Dahalvi, Urdu Poet |
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| Pratibha Patil, First Woman President of India |
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| Zafar Iqbal, Hockey Player |
Revivalist Movement
For the first time, idea of reviving the Aligarh Movement was preached by Sayyid Hamid in 1981, a staunch supporter of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. It was due to his tireless efforts, Mohammedan Social Reformers, Tahzeeb Ul Akhlaq, the first journal of Sir Syed Ahmad khan, was revived after a gap of 100 years.
Future Of Aligarh Muslim University
Our University stands on a verge of Reforms and Revolution after the revival of Siddons. This club will once bring us into the ties with the Cambridge Union Society and the ''dream'' of Sir Syed to make as intimate as possible connection between his university and Cambridge will be fulfilled. We should overcome our mistrust, mend our ways and unite to make our University the 'Oxford of East', through the Siddons Union; that makes us unique among all Indian Universities and binds us with Cambridge and Oxford Universities. It will not only develop ties with Cambridge and Oxford Union Societies but the other debating societies of the world like Yale Political Union, Harvard Debating Union, St. Andrews Debating Union, Queensland Debating Union, USU Debating Union and many more.
For the first time, idea of reviving the Aligarh Movement was preached by Sayyid Hamid in 1981, a staunch supporter of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. It was due to his tireless efforts, Mohammedan Social Reformers, Tahzeeb Ul Akhlaq, the first journal of Sir Syed Ahmad khan, was revived after a gap of 100 years.
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| Syed Hamid |
Soon after, the discourse of revival of Aligarh Movement among the Scholars of Aligarh happened. Alumni of AMU around the world had been organizing seminars on the Revival of Aligarh Movement.
We coined the term ''Revivalist Movement' when we began our struggle and continued writing with the same term. Reasons of coining the term 'Revivalist Movement' was the efforts for making of mind of the Students for the revival in future to other societies, not only the Siddons Union. Revival of the Siddons Union Club laid the foundation of Revivalist Movement, a chapter in the history of Aligarh Movement. The revivalists believes that the true vision of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is distorted with the passage of time and we should introspect whether the mission and true vision of the founder is achieved or we have gone wrong somewhere in the past.
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| Lt. Gen. Zameeruddin Shah |
Honorable Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. Zameeruddin Shah, made the revival of Siddons Union Club his priority and gave a full support to the Revivalist Team in their endeavors for the revival of true vision of sir Syed Ahmad Khan. A new era is to began in the chapters of Aligarh Movement and a new Aligarh is coming into shape- an era of Criticisms, Dialogues, and Exchange of Views.
The struggle for the Revival of Siddons Union Club and how the Revivalist Movement came into shape is being recorded by the Revivalists in a book ''Revivalist Movement (The Struggle for Siddons Union Club)''. Shubham Singh who is a companion in the Movement has been writing the History of the Siddons Union, Vision behind its revival and the struggle that the Revivalist Team did in order to restore the Glorious Past. During the two year of struggle, revivalist team went through abuses, mockery, and humiliations. Everything was being recorded for the future generation to know how the Siddons Union Club came into existence and the vision of the Revivalist. Even the smallest things were recorded, be it a mere help of the individuals or the disagreements or the challenges in the struggle. All the meetings with the officials are/were being recorded, through the articles in the newspapers, in the book.
Our University stands on a verge of Reforms and Revolution after the revival of Siddons. This club will once bring us into the ties with the Cambridge Union Society and the ''dream'' of Sir Syed to make as intimate as possible connection between his university and Cambridge will be fulfilled. We should overcome our mistrust, mend our ways and unite to make our University the 'Oxford of East', through the Siddons Union; that makes us unique among all Indian Universities and binds us with Cambridge and Oxford Universities. It will not only develop ties with Cambridge and Oxford Union Societies but the other debating societies of the world like Yale Political Union, Harvard Debating Union, St. Andrews Debating Union, Queensland Debating Union, USU Debating Union and many more.
