Jamia Protest Row: Rahul Gandhi's Visit Cancelled Amid Stone-Pelting, CCTV Damage, Campus Vandalism Claims

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s planned visit to Jamia Millia Islamia was cancelled on Wednesday amid heightened tensions on campus, where the administration alleged that protesting students and local residents vandalised university property, damaged CCTV infrastructure, and brought down Gate No. 4C late Tuesday night.

The student agitation, which began on October 12, has continued despite the administration’s decision to resume students’ union elections after nearly two decades. Students have demanded a definite timeline for the polls, approval of the union’s constitution within a fixed period and the withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters. Some students have also been on an indefinite hunger strike.

Jamia Millia Islamia Press Release Jamia Millia Islamia Subjected to Widespread Vandalism through the Night of October 27 New Delhi, October 28, 2026 Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) expresses profound shock, dismay, and deep concern over the widespread vandalism, destruction of university property, and serious security breaches reported throughout the night of October 27. On receiving reports of attacks on university walls, the Proctorial team and JMI teachers rushed to the campus to find that groups of protesting students along with locals had vandalized university gates and walls, brought down Gate No. 4 C, pelted stones, damaged CCTV control room, cameras, and disrupted their connections. A group of masked protesters also reportedly reached the university’s Boys’ Hostels in an attempt to mobilize additional support. Videos showing extensive damage to university property, posted by protesting students themselves, have been circulating widely on social media, leaving members of the university community deeply distressed and outraged. Particularly disturbing is the stark contradiction between the protesting students’ engagement in negotiations with committee members and JMI teachers (yesterday evening being the 7th such attempt by the university administration to hold dialogue) and the acts of vandalism that began on campus shortly thereafter. Equally deplorable is the fact that women faculty members, wardens, and provosts were threatened when they attempted to reason with the female protesters. Such conduct is not only unacceptable but also undermines and goes against the very spirit of dialogue and peaceful protest. The incidents of last night follow a week of repeated instances of university gates and boundary walls being scaled, damaged, and broken. However, the magnitude, speed, and intensity of the destruction witnessed on the night of October 27 have raised serious concerns. Videos, CCTV footage, and social media posts indicate that heavy iron rods, hammers, and other tools were used to cause extensive damage to university infrastructure, even as the university has shifted to the online mode as notified on October 24, 2026. Waking up to visuals of the destruction, members of the teaching faculty and non-teaching staff have expressed their utter dismay at the events that unfolded through the night. The reported acts of vandalism have raised grave concerns about the safety and security of students, faculty members, and non-teaching staff. The university’s infrastructure, classrooms, laboratories, and libraries, as well as its security systems, entrances, and exits, are essential to maintaining a safe and secure environment on campus. Any damage to these facilities not only causes significant physical loss with huge financial implications but also compromises the security and well-being of the entire university community. -----

— Jamia Millia Islamia (NAAC A++ Grade Central Univ) (@jmiu_official) October 28, 2026

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the university alleged that groups of protesting students, accompanied by locals, damaged university property and brought down Gate No. 4C, which connects the boys’ hostel area to the main campus.

ALSO READ: Jamia Extends Online Classes Till Nov 8 Amid Campus Protests; Issues Final Notice To Student On Hunger Strike

“Groups of protesting students along with locals vandalised university gates and walls, brought down Gate No. 4C, pelted stones, damaged the CCTV control room, cameras, and disrupted their connections,” the university said.

The administration said its proctorial team and faculty members rushed to the campus late Tuesday night after receiving reports of damage to the boundary walls. It further alleged that a group of masked protesters reached the boys’ hostels to mobilise additional support.

The university claimed that videos, CCTV footage and social media posts indicated that heavy iron rods, hammers and other tools had been used to damage infrastructure. It also alleged that women faculty members, wardens and provosts were threatened when they attempted to reason with female protesters.

Jamia University Alleges Vandalism Despite Talks With Students

The administration expressed concern over what it described as a contradiction between negotiations with protesters and the alleged destruction that followed. It said Tuesday evening’s meeting was its seventh attempt to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

“Particularly disturbing is the stark contradiction between the protesting students’ engagement in negotiations with committee members and JMI teachers, yesterday evening being the 7th such attempt by the university administration to hold dialogue, and the acts of vandalism that began on campus shortly thereafter,” the varsity said.

The university said the incidents followed a week of repeated instances of gates and boundary walls being scaled, damaged or broken. It added that damage to classrooms, laboratories, libraries, entrances, exits and security systems could compromise the safety of students and staff and cause significant financial losses.

Why Are Jamia Students Protesting?

The protests centre on demands to restore the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), which has not held elections since 2006, according to reports.

ALSO READ: Jamia Protest: Why Are Students Still Protesting Despite Clearance To Union Polls After Two Decades?

Although the university administration announced that elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution, protesters have continued their agitation, arguing that the administration has not provided a definite timeline for completing the process.

Students have also raised concerns over restrictions on campus access, the closure of canteens and libraries, and disciplinary action against student activists. Gate No. 4C has become a major point of contention because hostel residents use it to access the main campus.

The university shifted classes online from October 24 amid escalating tensions. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were also imposed in the area outside the campus.