More than 10 students from Jamia Millia Islamia University were detained by Delhi Police on Thursday during a protest against the university’s disciplinary measures against two PhD scholars.
The PhD scholars were issued show-cause notices for allegedly organizing a protest last year against the university’s policies.
“The show-cause notice stated that holding protests on campus is illegal and that the demonstrators had violated university rules. It instructed the protesting students to submit a written defense” said one of the students who wishes to maintain anonymity.
“We removed over 10 students at around 4 am after receiving a request from the university administration. Further, we have deployed heavy police security outside the campus to maintain law and order,” a police source said and the Hindustan Times Reported.
The protest by Jamia students started on Monday, with demonstrators denouncing what they called the administration’s “crackdown on student activism.”
The students were protesting against disciplinary action taken against two PhD scholars over the December 2024 “Jamia Resistance Day” event, which commemorated the anniversary of the 2019 anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.
“On December 15, Jamia University was shut down under the pretext of maintenance, prompting students to call for a protest on December 16, which then took place.” the student said.
According to the university, the protesting students vandalized campus property, including the central canteen, and damaged the security advisor’s office gate, prompting the administration to take action. However Fauzail says the protesting students did not cause vandalism.
Another Protest Staged
In protest against these actions, students staged another demonstration, demanding the revocation of both the show-cause notices and the disciplinary proceedings. As a mark of defiance, those named in the notices publicly burned them. In response, the university cut off lights at Gate No. 7 and shut down the canteen during the protest at night. Students alleged that even female protestors faced difficulties as the administration locked the washroom gates.
“Another protest was held to demand the revocation of the disciplinary committee notice and the show-cause notices. The students named in the notices burned them in protest. In response, Jamia University switched off all lights at Gate No. 7 and shut down the canteen. Several female students were also present, but the administration even locked the washroom gates.” the student said.
The situation intensified on February 11, when a fight broke out between two student groups near Gate No. 8. While those involved in the protests had no connection to the altercation, they were reportedly linked to the incident.
“On February 11, a fight broke out between two student groups near Gate No. 8 at Jamia University. Although the protestors had no connection to the incident, they were still linked to it.” he added.
On February 12, students alleged that police officials called them and their families, pressuring them to withdraw from the protests.
“On February 12, the police called students to pressure them, also reaching out to their parents and local guardians.” he added
Later, the university issued suspension notices to some students.Meanwhile, that night, during a sit-in protest, male security guards reportedly dragged both male and female students by their hair and removed them through non-camera zones.
“Shortly after, the students received suspension notices. Later that night, during a sit-in protest, male security guards forcibly dragged both male and female students by their hair and escorted them out through non-camera zones.”
