Jamia students detained during protest against Batla House encounter; Delhi Police says 'no one was dragged'

Several students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) were detained on Friday during a protest staged to mark the 17th anniversary of the Batla House encounter. Viral videos of the protest turning violent, with protesting students being dragged, and a female student’s hijab being pulled off raised questions about freedom of speech, dissent, and the use of violence against students.

On Friday morning, student groups, including the All India Students Association (AISA) and the Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest with chants condemning the state's actions nearly two decades ago.

The protest began around 4 pm following the heavy deployment of security personnel outside the university gate.

"The action, undoubtedly authorized by the university administration, becomes another testament of continuous aim to limit dissent and downplay any form of critique or gathering with force,” X account, The Jamia Review, posted.

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Detention amounts to 'abduction'

In a statement, the AISA alleged that around 20 students, including female students, were "dragged from the campus" and "handed over to the police personnel waiting outside gate number 7".

AISA alleged that the detentions amounted to "abductions" and accused the university administration of colluding with the authorities. There was no immediate response from the university to the allegations.

It claimed that among those detained were AISA Delhi state president Saiyed Ishfaq, AISA Jamia secretary Saurabh, and two other student leaders.

"How ironic that when students even gather to remember one injustice, the state delivers another," AISA said, demanding the immediate release of the detained students and calling upon people to gather at Jamia Nagar Police Station in solidarity.

The outfit further said it has been demanding a judicial probe into the September 19, 2008, encounter at Batla House in which two young men, Atif Ameen and Mohammad Sajid, were killed. "This year marks 17 years of awaiting justice," the statement added.

Viral video shows students being dragged out

In a video clip, female guards of Jamia Millia Islamia are seen dragging a female protester near the gate and removing her hijab in the process.

Outraged by this, students have now taken to social media to express their anger over the alleged brutal behavior of the administration toward its own students, reigniting debates around freedom of expression, the right to protest, and the use of force against students.

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No one was dragged at all: Delhi Police

Dismissing the allegations, DCP (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari told the PTI: "AISA activists came out of gate number 7 and tried to march towards Khallilulah mosque. Despite repeated requests, they were hell-bent on marching. After due warnings and precautions, they were detained. No one was dragged at all."

He added that additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the area. "No one will be allowed to breach law and order," the officer said.