10 Jamia Students Detained For Protest Against University's Disciplinary Action Against 2 PhD Scholars

The protest started on Monday after students condemned the administration’s "crackdown on student activism" after the university issued show-cause notices to the PhD scholars. 

Security personnel deployed outside the Jamia Millia Islamia University in the view of students' protest, in New Delhi on February 13.

Source : PTI

More than 10 students of Jamia Millia Islamia University were detained on Thursday by Delhi Police for protesting against the university's disciplinary action against two PhD scholars.

The protest started on Monday after students condemned the administration’s "crackdown on student activism" after the university issued show-cause notices to the PhD scholars for allegedly organising a demonstration last year. 

The University claimed that the students vandalised property, including the central canteen, and also broke the gate of the security advisor's office, prompting the administration to take action against them. It also requested police to intervene in the matter and remove the students from the protest site to maintain law and order, police sources told news agency PTI.

"We removed over 10 students at around 4 am after receiving a request from the university administration. Further, we have deployed heavy police security outside the campus to maintain law and order," a police source said.

Another police officer cited a statement from the university and said that over 10 students had been detained and further probe was underway.

Students Refuse To Engage With University Administration

A statement by the university noted that a few students had called for a protest and had unlawfully gathered in the academic block since February 10 evening.

"Since then, they have not only disturbed the peaceful conduct of classes but also prevented other students from accessing the Central Library and attending classes at a time when mid-semester exams are about to begin," the statement read.

"They have violated university rules and were found carrying objectionable contraband items. The university administration, taking a strong view of the damage to university property, defacement of walls, and obstruction of classes, has taken preventive measures to ensure academic activities continue as normal," it added.

The students disagreed to engage with the adminstration despite the university administration including the Supervisor, Head, and Dean offering to discuss their demands through a committee. "Taking preventive measures, this morning the university administration and the Proctorial team removed the students from the protest site, evicting them from the campus."

"The police have been requested to maintain law and order," the statement added.

The protesting students reportedly have four key demands: revoking the show-cause notices issued to the two PhD students, scrapping the Rs 50,000 fine for graffiti and posters, repealing the 2022 Office Memorandum that prohibits protests on campus, and ensuring no future disciplinary action against protestors, PTI reported citing a student.

The disciplinary committee is now set to meet on February 25 to review the role played by the two PhD students in organising "Jamia Resistance Day" on December 15 last year. 'Jamia Resistance Day' is an annual event marking the 2019 anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.