- Jamia Millia Islamia moves all classes online immediately.
- Decision follows 13 days of student protests for union.
- Tensions escalated with clashes between students and security.
Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi has moved all classes online with immediate effect as protests demanding the restoration of the university’s students’ union entered their 13th day on Saturday, October 24. The decision came amid escalating tensions on campus, where student groups alleged that the administration had moved against protesters, including those on a hunger strike.
The university said the shift to online classes was a precautionary measure intended to protect students’ safety and well-being. The arrangement will remain in place until further notice, according to an official notice issued by the administration.
“All Deans/Heads/Directors and faculty members as well as all bonafide students are hereby directed to adhere to the online class schedule and ensure regular participation in academic activities,” PTI cited the notice.
Faculty members have also been asked to arrange online classes and provide students with the necessary learning materials and academic support.
Tensions Rise As Administration Moves To Clear Protest Site
The decision followed a confrontation between protesting students and campus security personnel. According to reports, tensions escalated when guards moved to remove tents at the protest site, where students had gathered, including those observing a hunger strike.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) accused the university administration of acting against students while negotiations were underway. The organisation alleged that the hunger strikers and the protest site had come under attack, describing the episode as “the most brutal face of the Jamia administration”.
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The university administration has rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
The protest began on October 12, with students demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU). Five students were continuing their hunger strike on Saturday, with their demands also including the withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters.
What Are The Students Demanding?
The protesters want the students’ union reinstated, the suspension of students revoked and show-cause notices issued by the university’s proctor and disciplinary committee withdrawn. They have also called for the removal of the university’s Chief Proctor, accusing the administration of cracking down on the demonstration.
Jasim Ali Khan, who has been on hunger strike since the protest began, accused the administration of launching a crackdown and demanded that the suspensions be revoked.
Another protester, Anas, said the demonstration would continue until the students’ demands were met. He also rejected allegations linking protesters to graffiti bearing the slogan “Free Kashmir” found on the campus.
“A narrative is being peddled to (disrupt) the protest. We don’t know whether the (university) administration or someone is peddling this. This is a matter of investigation since the responsibility for the security of Jamia lies with the admin. You check the cameras to see who is writing (such slogans) and clear the matter. The protesters and (hunger) strikers are absolutely not involved in this. The protest has been peaceful since day one and will remain the same in future,” he said.
Anas called on the administration to examine CCTV footage and investigate who was responsible for the graffiti.
Row Over Political Leaders' Campus Visit
The confrontation has also sparked a dispute over political leaders' role in the campus unrest.
Jamia Registrar Mahtab Alam Rizvi alleged that Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood had entered the campus by jumping over a wall a day earlier, disturbing the university environment and aggravating tensions among students. Rizvi said a complaint had been filed with the Delhi Police.
AISA, meanwhile, maintained that the administration's action against the protesters was unjustified. The allegations and counter-allegations have added another dimension to the dispute, which began over the demand for an elected student body.
Why The Students' Union Issue Matters
The Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union was dissolved in March 2006 following campus violence that disrupted academic activities. The current agitation seeks the restoration of student representation through the union.
During the initial days of the latest protest, Delhi Police personnel attempted to remove demonstrators from the designated protest site on campus, leading to an escalation of the agitation.
The university's decision to shift classes online now places the focus on whether academic activities can continue without further disruption, even as students insist they will not withdraw their protest until their demands are addressed.