A six-day hunger strike demanding the restoration of the student union at Jamia Millia Islamia escalated on Saturday after protesting students were removed from the campus, several students alleged mistreatment by security personnel, and the university imposed disciplinary action on three students.
The students had been protesting near Gate 7 at the Gulistan-e-Ghalib lawn since the evening of 12 October. Around five students were on hunger strike. According to the report, the protest was disrupted at about 5:30 am on Saturday after the health of two participants, Mohammed Jasim and Avin, deteriorated. The university said the two students were sent to hospital after their condition worsened.
Students alleged that around 100 security personnel reached the protest site from behind the mosque gate and took the participants to Gate 7. They alleged that some protesters were dragged and accused security personnel of pulling hair and hitting them in the abdomen. The report said around six students suffered minor injuries. Videos of the incident were also circulated on social media, although the report did not independently establish what they showed.
The university administration rejected the allegations as baseless. The dispute intensified later in the day when around 300 students gathered and attempted to resume the protest. According to the report, several students were detained by security personnel and handed over to the police. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at almost all major campus gates as tensions continued between the students and the administration.
The university also shut off electricity supply across the campus as a precautionary measure. Later, students resumed demonstrations near Gate 7, and some entered the campus despite restrictions. Avin returned to the protest site and announced that the hunger strike would continue. Protesters marched towards the vice-chancellor’s gate while carrying posters of the vice-chancellor and registrar. The demonstration continued late into the night.
The students have demanded an independent inquiry into the events surrounding the removal of the hunger strikers and the subsequent action against protesters. The dispute centres on the demand to restore the student union, which the report describes as a nearly 20-year-old issue at the university.
Jamia imposed a six-month campus ban on Jasim, citing alleged unauthorised entry into the campus on 12 October, misbehaviour with security personnel, abusive language, indiscipline and absence from classes. Avin, a BA LLB (Honours) student, was suspended and banned from the campus for one year. Another student, Rehan, was also suspended.
The immediate next steps will depend on the university’s handling of the students’ inquiry demand, the disciplinary proceedings and the continuation of the protest. The report did not provide details of any formal independent investigation or a further administrative decision on the student union demand.
