New Delhi: A group of Muslim students from Kerala studying at Delhi University’s Zakir Husain College have come forward with allegations of physical assault, harassment, and housing discrimination, following an incident in Laxmi Nagar on October 2. The students, who had been residing in a rented apartment for just six weeks, were forcibly evicted by neighbours, amid accusations of disturbing the peace and curfew violations.
Tensions initially flared when the students invited their college friends, sparking complaints from neighbours. They were soon subjected to restrictive conditions, including a curfew from 5 AM to 11 PM. The situation escalated when a female tenant from the building, along with her associate, allegedly assaulted the students and ordered them to vacate the premises. The students claim Islamophobic slurs were used during the altercation, and that they were falsely accused of molestation, an accusation later modified by the tenant, despite video evidence disproving her claims.
As the conflict intensified, one student returning to the apartment was attacked by neighbours, and a physical brawl broke out. Disturbingly, one attacker allegedly referenced the building’s registry, which reportedly prohibits Muslims from renting or buying apartments, further highlighting the discriminatory practices they faced. Despite seeking police intervention, the students assert that they were treated unfairly. They were taken to the police station in a patrol vehicle, while their aggressors travelled in their own car and received preferential treatment. It was only after Rajya Sabha MP Adv Haris Beeran’s intervention that the police reviewed video evidence of the assault.
Facing mounting pressure from the landlord, who cited concerns for his own safety, the students have been given two weeks to vacate the property. This incident, they said, is part of a wider pattern of housing discrimination and Islamophobia affecting Muslims. The students have expressed deep concerns about the growing difficulty of finding secure accommodation in Delhi, as well as the rising tide of anti-Muslim sentiment.
