New Delhi: The Fraternity Movement has strongly condemned the ongoing repression at Jamia Millia Islamia, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of students and the suppression of dissent.
Aysha Renna, National General Secretary of the organisation said: “The situation at JMI is deeply alarming. This is a critical moment where students, students organisations, and civil society must unite to resist the unjust and repressive actions of the university’s administration. Students expressing dissent are being intimidated through show-cause notices and undue pressure from their HODs and Ph.D. supervisors. The state machinery is being mobilised to suppress and punish students in various ways.”
Renna reminded the nation of the events of December 15, 2019, when Jamia students were subjected to police brutality for protesting against the controversial CAA. The incident became a catalyst for a nationwide anti-CAA movement. Jamia students commemorate this violence every year, remembering the victims of Delhi Police’s crackdown. However, this year, the university administration sought to obstruct these efforts by closing the campus under the pretext of “maintenance work,” despite ongoing semester exams.
“But the students resisted,” Renna said. “Fraternity Movement and other student organisations commemorated the Jamia violence and demanded justice. In retaliation, the administration tried to evacuate students by 1 PM and called in heavy police reinforcements, including RAF, riot control vehicles, OB vans, and buses to detain students gathering near the campus gates.”
Despite the heavy-handed response, Jamia students remained resolute. On December 16, they organised a flash protest that surprised the administration. Large numbers marched to honour the victims of police violence and renewed their demand for justice.
Renna criticised the administration’s apparent double standards, stating: “On November 29, the RSS-affiliated student wing ABVP and its national leaders were openly welcomed on campus. While Fraternity Movement leaders face targeting for exercising their constitutional rights, a Hindu nationalist student wing receives administrative support.”
She also cited an incident on October 22, during Diwali celebrations, where communal slurs were reportedly directed at hijabi students. When Jamia students questioned the presence of outsiders on campus, clashes broke out. Instead of addressing the issue, fabricated FIRs were filed against dozens of Jamia students at the instigation of an ABVP leader from JNU.
Renna further said: “You may witch-hunt and suppress a hundred voices, but a thousand will rise to challenge tyranny. The spirit of Jamia’s students cannot and will not be curbed by repressive tactics.”
