The Crossbill Team
Delhi Police detained 14 students from Jamia Millia Islamia University for protesting against disciplinary action taken against two PhD scholars, officials confirmed on Thursday (February 13).
The detained students had been part of an indefinite protest that began on Monday, opposing the university’s actions against the two PhD scholars accused of organizing a demostration last year.
The disciplinary measures stem from the December 15, 2024, "Jamia Resistance Day" event, held in remembrance of the 2019 anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. During the 2019 protests, Delhi Police had entered the university campus and baton-charged students inside the library, triggering nationwide outrage. Protesters condemned what they called a "crackdown on student activism" by the administration.
Police Intervention Following University Request
According to news agency PTI, Police sources revealed that the university requested law enforcement to intervene and remove the protesting students to maintain order on campus.
“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 official told PTI.
Confirming the detentions, another police officer said that an investigation was underway.
University’s Justification for Action
In a statement, Jamia Millia Islamia claimed that a small group of students had unlawfully occupied an academic block since February 10, disrupting classes and blocking access to the Central Library. With mid-semester exams approaching, the administration said the protest was interfering with academic activities.
The university further accused the protesters of violating campus rules, carrying objectionable contraband, and damaging property.
"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," the statement read.
Despite multiple attempts by university officials—including the Supervisor, Head, and Dean—to engage in dialogue, the students allegedly refused to negotiate. Consequently, the administration, along with the Proctorial team, evicted the protesters from campus and sought police assistance to maintain order.
Student Demands and Disciplinary Review
On February 11, tensions escalated further when the All India Students' Association (AISA) claimed that its All-India President, Neha, was detained by Delhi Police while standing in solidarity with the protesters.
“A few minutes ago, AISA All India President, Neha has been forcefully detained by Security guards and Delhi Police from Jamia Gate no 7 for standing in solidarity with the ongoing protest! Police has not informed her where she is being taken. Comrade Neha had gone to Jamia to stand in solidarity with the students of Jamia against the disciplinary action on AISA activist Comrade Saurabh and others,” AISA said in a statement.
However, Delhi Police clarified that the action against Neha was initiated by the university administration.
The university’s disciplinary committee is set to review the case of the two PhD scholars on February 25. However, the administration has yet to address the demands of the protesters, who see the disciplinary actions as an “attack on campus democracy.”
Led by Left-affiliated student organizations, protesters have been calling for an immediate revocation of the disciplinary actions and an end to what they describe as a broader crackdown on student activism.
The detained students had been part of an indefinite protest that began on Monday, opposing the university’s actions against the two PhD scholars accused of organizing a demostration last year.
The disciplinary measures stem from the December 15, 2024, "Jamia Resistance Day" event, held in remembrance of the 2019 anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. During the 2019 protests, Delhi Police had entered the university campus and baton-charged students inside the library, triggering nationwide outrage. Protesters condemned what they called a "crackdown on student activism" by the administration.
Police Intervention Following University Request
According to news agency PTI, Police sources revealed that the university requested law enforcement to intervene and remove the protesting students to maintain order on campus.
“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 official told PTI.
Confirming the detentions, another police officer said that an investigation was underway.
University’s Justification for Action
In a statement, Jamia Millia Islamia claimed that a small group of students had unlawfully occupied an academic block since February 10, disrupting classes and blocking access to the Central Library. With mid-semester exams approaching, the administration said the protest was interfering with academic activities.
The university further accused the protesters of violating campus rules, carrying objectionable contraband, and damaging property.
"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," the statement read.
Despite multiple attempts by university officials—including the Supervisor, Head, and Dean—to engage in dialogue, the students allegedly refused to negotiate. Consequently, the administration, along with the Proctorial team, evicted the protesters from campus and sought police assistance to maintain order.
Student Demands and Disciplinary Review
On February 11, tensions escalated further when the All India Students' Association (AISA) claimed that its All-India President, Neha, was detained by Delhi Police while standing in solidarity with the protesters.
“A few minutes ago, AISA All India President, Neha has been forcefully detained by Security guards and Delhi Police from Jamia Gate no 7 for standing in solidarity with the ongoing protest! Police has not informed her where she is being taken. Comrade Neha had gone to Jamia to stand in solidarity with the students of Jamia against the disciplinary action on AISA activist Comrade Saurabh and others,” AISA said in a statement.
However, Delhi Police clarified that the action against Neha was initiated by the university administration.
The university’s disciplinary committee is set to review the case of the two PhD scholars on February 25. However, the administration has yet to address the demands of the protesters, who see the disciplinary actions as an “attack on campus democracy.”
Led by Left-affiliated student organizations, protesters have been calling for an immediate revocation of the disciplinary actions and an end to what they describe as a broader crackdown on student activism.
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