On 17 February 2025, the united students of Delhi based Jamia Millia Islamia university took a spirited stand against the systemic repression of their voices and the erosion of the university's foundational values. Responding to a united call, students boycotted their classes and gathered at the Mohibul Hassan Block, marching towards the Dean of Students' Welfare (DSW) to present a memorandum of their demands. Their slogans echoed their only motto, "Reclaim Jamia" as they demanded dignity, freedom of expression, and the preservation of Jamia's democratic ethos.
Dawn Raid and Disappearance of Students
Under the banner of "Reclaim Jamia," they strongly condemned the brutal crackdown students unleashed by Jamia administration and Delhi police on February 14. On that day, at 5 in the morning the administration along with varsity’s security guards and Delhi police illegally picked up around 20 students from the protest site and taken to undisclosed location. Both male and female students were dragged from their sleeping spaces by their legs and hair, forcibly removed from the premises, and shoved into police vehicles. These students, including several AISA activists were part of the on-going protest movement in the campus against the disciplinary actions against university students-activists Saurabh and Jyoti. These two students, along with several others were targeted by the university administration for organising an event in December last year to commemorating the violent state-crackdown on anti-CAA movement in 2019. Since then, the protests had been ongoing in campus condemning the Jamia administration’s attack on campus democracy.
The whereabouts of twenty students taken away by Delhi police were only known in the evening after sustained student and civil society pressure. Later, in the eventing the students were released from detention. On the very next day, in an attempt to intimidate protesting students, the administration publicly pasted the names, photos, phone numbers and addresses of these students in the campus.
In a show of solidarity on Monday, students from all departments boycotted classes, amplifying their demands and sending a clear message to the administration that they will not back down until their voices are heard and their rights. are restored. The students launched a campaign of wearing black ribbons, marking their protest against the administration's oppressive tactics and their unwavering commitment to justice. The black ribbons served as a stark reminder of the dark times Jamia is facing and the students' resolve to fight for their rights.
The students presented a memorandum outlining their key demands, which include:
Revocation of the FIR, suspensions, and proceedings of the disciplinary committee against all dissenting students.
An immediate end to the issuance of show-cause notices to students exercising their fundamental rights to protest, organize, and express themselves peacefully.
Revocation of all show-cause notices issued to students for raising their voices.
Repeal of the Office Memoranda dated August 29, 2022. and November 29, 2024.
An end to the witch-hunt against students for expressing dissent.
For withdrawal of the notice penalizing postering and graffiti on Jamia walls.
The students have given the administration 48 hours to respond to their demands, vowing to continue their protest if their demands remain unaddressed.
CPIML MP Condemns the Crackdown on Students
On 17 February, CPI(ML) Liberation Member of Parliament Raja Ram Singh wrote a letter to Jamia administration condemning the crackdown on students and demanding immediate withdrawal of disciplinary action and FIR’s lodged against Jamia Millia Islamia students and remove Chief Proctor for grave violations.
In the letter, he raised concern about the action being initiated against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University by your administration for peacefully demonstrating for their democratic rights on campus.
