New Delhi: A protest at Jamia Millia Islamia University turned tense on Thursday as Delhi Police detained over 10 students following a demonstration against the university’s disciplinary action against two PhD scholars. The university had reportedly requested police intervention to remove the protesters.
The detained PhD students had earlier received show-cause notices for allegedly organizing a protest last year against the university’s policies. Security has been heightened outside the campus to maintain order.
The student protest, which began on Monday, condemned what was described as the administration’s “crackdown on student activism.” The demonstration was in response to disciplinary action against the two scholars for their involvement in the December 2024 “Jamia Resistance Day,” an event marking the anniversary of the 2019 anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.
According to the university, the protesting students engaged in vandalism, including damaging the central canteen and the security advisor’s office gate. The administration also alleged that students violated campus rules and were in possession of “objectionable contraband items.”
Despite the university’s offer to address grievances through a formal committee, the protesters reportedly refused to engage with officials. Student leader Sonakshi outlined four key demands: revoking the show-cause notices, repealing the 2022 Office Memorandum restricting protests, scrapping the ₹50,000 fine for graffiti and posters, and ensuring no future disciplinary action against students for protest participation.
The university’s disciplinary committee is set to meet on February 25 to review the involvement of the two PhD students in organizing the “Jamia Resistance Day” event.
