National/ Education Desk
14 February
Ludhiana
Sandeep Dhand
Delhi Police detained over 10 students of Jamia Millia Islamia University for protesting against disciplinary action taken against two PhD scholars. The students had gathered to oppose the university’s decision to issue show-cause notices to the scholars for allegedly organizing a protest last year.
The university administration claimed that the protesting students vandalized university property, including the central canteen, and broke the gate of the security advisor’s office. Citing these incidents, the administration sought police assistance, leading to the detention of several students around 4 am. Heavy security has been deployed outside the campus to prevent further unrest.
The protesters have put forward four key demands. They want the show-cause notices against the two PhD students to be withdrawn, the 2022 office memorandum restricting campus protests to be repealed, the Rs 50,000 fine imposed for graffiti and posters to be canceled, and assurances that no disciplinary action will be taken against students for participating in protests in the future.
The issue stems from the disciplinary committee’s decision to review the role of the two PhD students in organizing “Jamia Resistance Day” on December 15, 2024. This annual event marks the 2019 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which had led to significant student demonstrations across the country.
The university administration maintains that its actions are aimed at maintaining order on campus, while students argue that the restrictions are an attack on their right to protest. With the disciplinary committee set to meet on February 25, tensions remain high as students await further developments.