FIR against three MPs for trespassing Jamia Millia University campus after complaint amid students’ protest

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against three MPs following a complaint by Jamia Millia Islamia’s administration, which accused them of entering the university campus without authorisation and provoking unrest amid an ongoing student agitation for the restoration of union elections.

The case comes as tensions continue at the university, where students have been protesting for the return of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), whose elections have not been held since 2006. Four students have been on a hunger strike for 13 days as part of the agitation.

According to the complaint, the MPs allegedly trespassed onto the campus and instigated unrest during the protest.

The FIR was registered following the university administration’s complaint.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), meanwhile, alleged that hundreds of police personnel detained students outside Gate 7. The organisation described the action as a crackdown on protesters in a social media post.

A student also claimed that police deployment outside the campus had intensified, with students allegedly being stopped from entering the university and detained.

JMI shifts classes online amid tensions

On Saturday, Jamia Millia Islamia moved classes online, citing security concerns. The university also instructed students to stay away from the campus and announced that its gates and libraries would remain closed until further notice.

The administration said more than 1,500 teaching and non-teaching staff members, accompanied by Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif and Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, marched from the Ansari Auditorium lawns to Gate 7 on Saturday in an effort to persuade protesters to end their agitation.

According to the university, staff members made repeated appeals over nearly two hours, but the protesters refused to leave the site.

The SFI’s Jamia unit, however, alleged that the proctor, registrar and security adviser attempted to remove the hunger strikers, dismantled their tents and dragged women students. The university administration, in turn, accused some students of pushing security guards and teachers.

Students demand election schedule

The agitation began nearly two weeks ago, with students demanding the restoration of the JMISU and the announcement of an election schedule. Alongside the four students on hunger strike, PhD scholar Sanam has been staging a sit-in at the Gulistan-e-Ghalib lawns, the SFI said.

The university said a seven-member committee of professors had held four rounds of discussions with the protesters. It also said a JMISU Constitution Draft Committee was notified on October 21 and that disciplinary action taken or initiated against students over the October 12 protest would be reviewed.

The SFI has called for student representation on the constitution-drafting committee and the announcement of election dates in the current semester. It has also demanded that all disciplinary action against protesters be withdrawn and that the chief proctor and security adviser resign over the alleged use of force against students.

The university maintains that Gate 18 is the designated location for demonstrations and has described the protest at the Gulistan-e-Ghalib lawns as an unauthorised occupation.

(with agencies input)