New Delhi: Students of Jamia Millia Islamia staged a heated protest on Friday against the recently passed Waqf Bill 2025, expressing their strong opposition by burning copies of the legislation near Gate 7 of the university. The protest was spearheaded by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and other student groups.
The Waqf Bill, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Thursday and by the Rajya Sabha early Friday morning after prolonged debates, claims to bring reforms in governance and transparency in Waqf property management, protect heritage sites, and foster better coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities.
However, student organizations condemned the bill as “unconstitutional and communal,” accusing the government of targeting Waqf properties under the guise of reform. In a strongly worded statement, AISA also criticized the university administration for allegedly trying to silence student dissent.
“In a shocking display of authoritarianism, the administration locked the campus gates, restricting both entry and exit,” AISA said. “But students, determined and united, gathered in protest until the gates were reopened under pressure.”
Protesters gave impassioned speeches, denouncing the bill and accusing authorities of attempting to disrupt the demonstration by instructing security personnel to blow whistles constantly — an act the students called a “desperate attempt to drown out our voices.”
Despite these hurdles, students declared their resolve to intensify their protest. “This fight against the communal and unconstitutional bill will go on — louder, stronger, and more united than ever,” the AISA statement concluded.
Police personnel were deployed at the protest site to maintain order, but the demonstration remained peaceful.
