– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: Students, activists, and academicians from Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, and Delhi University protested at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with 17 suspended Jamia students. They demanded immediate revocation of the suspension and the right to peaceful assembly on campus.
Protesters condemned the administration for punishing students who peacefully demanded constitutional rights. They also demanded an end to security guards using illegal force and the withdrawal of criminal charges against students.
They recalled the 2019 police attack on Jamia students. In 2024, when students gathered to remember the brutality, two were issued disciplinary notices. On February 10, students protesting this action were threatened, had electricity cut, and toilets locked. Later, they were falsely accused of vandalism.
On February 13, under the cover of darkness, security guards forcibly removed students and handed them to the police, who took them to undisclosed locations. Personal details of the 17 detained students were publicly displayed, violating privacy laws.
Teachers largely support the students but face administrative threats. The Jamia Teachers’ Association has been dissolved, and faculty are pressured to give negative reports on protesting students.
Protesters called this a blatant attack on democracy. They accused authorities of suppressing dissent in universities to enable privatization, commercialization, and saffronization.
After strong student support, including a class boycott and memorandum submission, the suspended students held a public gathering at Jantar Mantar. The memorandum gave the administration 48 hours to:
1. Revoke suspensions and disciplinary actions.
2. Withdraw oppressive orders restricting students’ rights.
Despite the deadline, the administration ignored students, forcing them to seek public support.
SFI Jamia President Sakhi criticized the criminalization of student activities like reading sessions and cultural events. She called the August 2022 memorandum unconstitutional.
Professor Nandita Narain supported the students, affirming their right to question policies and engage in critical thinking. Activist Sehba Farooqi reminded that Jamia was founded on resistance and accused the administration of betraying its legacy.
Students gathered 500+ signatures, but the administration refused to meet them. Their memorandum was accepted without acknowledgment.
The protest sent a clear message: students will not be silenced. They urged all democratic forces to stand with them in defending justice, equality, and democracy.
The Delhi Teachers Federation demanded an end to repression, stating universities should foster debate, dissent, and learning—not be ruled by force and fear.
