Jamia protest latest update: Students enter campus after gates reopen, allege assault by security personnel

Students protesting at Jamia Millia Islamia over the demand for the restoration of the students’ union entered the campus after opening its gates, which had remained closed for hours, as tension continued between protesters and the university administration, according to reports from the protest site.

Students are now inside the campus in large numbers after Delhi Police dispersed those gathered outside the university.

A large number of students had gathered outside the university to protest against the alleged assault of students by security guards during the ongoing agitation. The protesters have been demanding the restoration of the students’ union, which has not held elections since 2006, according to media reports.

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AISA’s statement

In a press statement, the AISA said, “Jamia belongs to the students, not the admin or police,” reaffirming its support for the demand to restore the JMISU.

According to AISA, the administration had closed the campus gates, prompting students to gather at Gate 7 around 3 pm and demand that the university be reopened. Despite police detentions and alleged threats, students re-entered the campus and continued their sit-in protest.

AISA Jamia secretary Saurabh has criticised the administration for closing the campus and alleged that it was using physical power instead of talking to students about their demands.

The organisation called for the campus to be reopened and students to be given access to facilities like the library and canteens. AISA said that the protest would continue until the demand was addressed.

Students allege assault by Jamia security personnel

A post on X quoted Ebin Basil, who has been on a six-day hunger strike demanding the restoration of Jamia Millia Islamia’s students’ union, alleging that security personnel assaulted protesters while removing them from the protest site.

“Jamia Millia Islamia’s security personnel brutally assaulted us on the orders of the proctorial team and security adviser. They first tore down our beds and tarpaulin sheets before physically assaulting us. Several students were injured, and I was kicked in the stomach,” he said.

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AISA seeks rollback of Jamia suspension, rustication orders

The latest developments follow allegations by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) that students who had been on a hunger strike were forcibly removed from the campus early on Saturday. The association claimed that security personnel beat and harassed the students before handing them over to the police.

AISA also claimed that the university suspended some protesters for six months and rusticated others for the academic year. It demanded the withdrawal of the disciplinary orders, an independent inquiry into the alleged use of force, the resignation of Asad Malik, Chief Proctor, and the announcement of students’ union elections.