Over 10 Jamia students detained for protesting against disciplinary action
What's the story
The Delhi Police have detained over 10 students of Jamia Millia Islamia University for protesting against the university's disciplinary action against two PhD scholars. The scholars were issued show-cause notices for allegedly organizing a demonstration last year. The student-led protest started on Monday against the administration's "crackdown on student activism."
Accusations
University accuses protesters of vandalism and disruption
The university administration alleged that the protesting students vandalized property, including damaging the central canteen and breaking the gate to the security advisor's office. These actions prompted police intervention at the university's request. A police source told ANI that over 10 students were removed around 4:00am after the university administration requested them to restore order on campus. "Further, we have deployed heavy police security outside the campus to maintain law and order," the police source said.
Twitter Post
Heavy security, drones deployed outside Jamia Milia Islamia
VIDEO | Heavy security, drones deployed outside Jamia Milia Islamia University amid protest by students.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2025
The students at Jamia Millia Islamia are protesting against the university's disciplinary action against two PhD scholars, who were also served show-cause notices for… pic.twitter.com/5i7hFfjJYb
Demands
Protesters' demands and university's response
Reportedly, the protest started when a group illegally assembled in the academic block on February 10, disrupting classes and access to the Central Library. The administration offered to engage in a dialogue through a committee, but the protesters allegedly refused. Speaking to PTI, student leader Sonakshi detailed four key demands: revoking show-cause notices for the PhD students, repealing restrictions on campus protests, scrapping fines for graffiti and posters, and ensuring no future disciplinary actions against protest participants.
Committe
Disciplinary committee to review PhD students' involvement
The disciplinary committee is expected to meet on Saturday to review the role of the two PhD students in organizing "Jamia Resistance Day" on December 15, 2024. The event marked the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests of 2019. Following the protest on December 15, the Delhi Police, along with paramilitary forces, had forcibly entered the Jamia campus and the Zakir Hussain library, on December 15, 2019, reportedly beating up students.