Jamia Millia Islamia students accuse varsity of violence, women students abused and manhandled

A brawl broke out in Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi on Tuesday after student groups accused JMI’s administration of using violence against students. The students were protesting against the show-cause notices issued to five students.

According to All India Students' Association, on the afternoon of October 22, hundreds of Jamia Millia Islamia students marched to VC’s office against the show cause to five students.

“In the evening, dozens of hired goons violently attacked the protesting students. Many students got seriously injured while security guards kept watching all this silently. It's a complete mayhem in Jamia where students are under continuous attack,” alleged AISA.

As per Pinjra Tod, another students group, said,“The administration launched goons who assaulted students with belts, glass pieces and flower pots, manhandled and groped women students while security guards and office staff stood quietly shielding the attackers.”

Protests have been going on in the university campus for the last nine days, with students demanding revocation of showcause notices issued to five students, who participated in a protest against an invitation to Israeli delegates for an event.

Jamia Millia administration has however denied the charge saying that the clashes broke out between two groups of students and the authorities did not have anything to do with it.

“A scuffle broke out between the group of students. The protesting students damaged vehicles parked in the complex where they have laid the siege, “ they said.

In a statement, JMI’s administration said the showcause notice to five students was issued for indiscipline and they were asked to reply to the notice.

“Instead of replying, they burnt the copies of the notice and also boycotted the disciplinary committee meeting where they had the opportunity to present their case," the varsity administration said.

Police said they were called in. They stood at the gate of the campus but did not enter the University.

"No one was detained and we have not received any complaint in this regard," a police official said, according to news agency PTI.

The Delhi State Committee of AIDSO also strongly condemned on the attack on students.

“We demand that the attackers should be immediately identified and all those who are involved in the attacks should be awarded stringent punishment. The JMI administration should give appointment to the protestors and listen to their point of view and the administration should immediately revoke the show cause notice sent to the 5 students. Expressing solidarity with the ongoing movement, AIDSO appeals to the students of Jamia to carry on the struggle and continue it till the achievement of demands.”