NEW DELHI: Three students protesting for the restoration of Jamia Millia Islamia’s students’ union were allegedly assaulted by university security personnel and detained by Delhi Police as tensions escalated on campus on Saturday.
The confrontation unfolded at 5:30 am, when three students who had been on a hunger strike for five days were allegedly dragged out of the campus, manhandled by university security personnel and forced to continue their protest outside the locked gates. One of them, Jasim Khan, who had started the hunger strike, was hospitalised owing to his health condition.
According to Jamia students, around 60 security guards, accompanied by the chief proctor and security adviser, arrived at the protest site around 5:30 am and damaged and forcibly removed the students’ beds and tarpaulin. The organisation alleged that several protesters were injured, with some reportedly losing consciousness.
Another student on hunger strike, Ebin, speaking to the newspaper, said, “A police official stepped on my foot, injuring my toe. He slapped me on my neck and face and hit me on my stomach. This was absolutely horrifying. I have received a long notice from the administration, and they have rusticated me for one year. However, I will continue my support.”
Students from the Fraternity Movement claimed that police detained some protesters on the university administration’s instructions and demanded an impartial investigation.
The crackdown came amid disciplinary action against two students participating in the hunger strike. One student from Kerala was issued a rustication order for a year, while a postgraduate student from Uttar Pradesh, Jasim Khan, faced rustication for six months. The action reportedly followed their failure to appear before the proctor despite receiving ‘call slips’.
Despite the relatively small turnout of around 60–70 supporters for the past five days, the university reportedly deployed more than 50 security personnel at the protest site, while over 50 Delhi Police personnel were stationed outside, along with a detention van. The campus remained shut on Saturday, with additional security checks at all gates.
The protest continued into the evening. A group of students reportedly broke through Gate No. 7 and rushed inside, following which several students were detained. They were released after approximately an hour.
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), AISA and JNUSU extended their support to the protesters, asserting that the struggle for the restoration of the students’ union would continue. Jamia Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif did not respond to a request for comment on the incident.