JMI students to protest over detentions during Batla House anniversary march; demand resignation, apology

Students at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) are organising a protest on September 22 in response to detentions during a march held to mark the 17th anniversary of the Batla House encounter. The protest is staged by student groups including the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the Students Federation of India (SFI).

According to student groups, security personnel and Delhi Police intervened during the march. Several students, including student leaders, were reportedly detained after being removed from the campus near gate number 7. Video footage circulating on social media shows physical handling of protesters, including female students, during the intervention.

“Several students were dragged out of the campus and handed to the police for detention, students were beaten and their clothes were pulled by the guards and the police, all this done under the supervision of the security advisor,” the press release said.

Students’ Demands: Resignation, public apology, independent enquiry

The students have demanded the resignation of the university’s Security Advisor, Syed Abdul Rashid, a public apology from the proctorial team, and an independent enquiry into the actions of the staff involved. Students have planned to gather from 5 pm onward at the Central Canteen to press for these demands.

Delhi Police, however, stated that the JMI students were detained after repeated warnings for attempting to march beyond the campus despite instructions not to do so. The police added that additional personnel were deployed to maintain law and order.

The protest follows a long-standing demand by AISA for a judicial probe into the 2008 Batla House encounter, during which two men were killed. The student groups have reiterated their call for the release of detained students and highlighted concerns over freedom of expression, the right to protest, and campus governance.