Jamia displays protesting students’ personal info, removes after backlash

Jamia Millia Islamia faced severe criticism on Friday, 14 February, for allegedly displaying a list of 17 students involved in campus protests, including their photographs, phone numbers, addresses, and affiliations with student groups, outside the university entrance. Following a backlash and legal notices from students, the administration reportedly removed the list later in the day.

The incident came a day after the university cracked down on a sit-in protest, suspending more than a dozen students.

“This is blatant targeting by the Jamia administration. Our personal details-contact numbers, addresses, and photos were displayed publicly at the entrance. This very location saw outsiders firing at students during the anti-CAA protests. If any harm comes to us, the administration will be responsible,” a student whose details appeared on the list told the media.

On Thursday, 13 February, Delhi Police detained 14 students for alleged vandalism during campus demonstrations, based on a complaint from the university administration.

Two FIRs were subsequently registered in connection with the unrest and a scuffle that broke out during the protest.

The ongoing protest, which began on Monday, is in response to the university’s suppression of campus demonstrations and the formation of a disciplinary committee against two PhD students accused of organizing a 2023 protest commemorating the 2019 anti-CAA movement.

Tensions escalated on Thursday when university officials and the proctorial team forcibly removed students from the protest site, leading to police detentions. Despite multiple attempts, the university administration did not respond to queries regarding the alleged public display of student information.