Jamia Milia Islamia shifts all classes online after students clash with guards during protest

PTC News Desk: Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi has moved all classes online with immediate effect after students protesting for the return of campus union elections clashed with security guards on Saturday.

Tensions rose on campus when security personnel monitoring the protest tried to remove tents set up by the students. A video of the incident showed students and guards pushing and struggling with each other. Some protesters tried to separate those involved and calm the situation.

The protest began on October 12, with students demanding the restoration of elections to the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU). The union was dissolved in 2006 following incidents of campus violence that disrupted academic activities.

In a notice issued on Saturday, the university’s Office of the Registrar announced that all courses would be conducted online until further notice. The decision was taken as a precaution in view of the prevailing situation and to ensure the safety of students on campus.

The notice, issued by Registrar Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, said academic activities would continue without interruption despite the change in teaching arrangements.

All deans, department heads, directors, faculty members and students have been asked to follow the online timetable and ensure regular attendance. The order applies to every course across the university. No date has been announced for the resumption of in-person classes.

Faculty asked to arrange online classes

Faculty members have been instructed to conduct classes through online platforms and provide students with the necessary study materials and academic support.

Students have been advised to follow the online schedule and check with their respective departments for class links, learning resources and other instructions. The university said further updates would be shared through its official channels.

Students allege crackdown, administration refutes allegations

Earlier on Saturday, the communist student organisation AISA alleged that the university administration had taken action against students who were on a hunger strike without any provocation. The administration rejected the allegation.

Tensions on campus had also increased after anti-national slogans referring to Jammu and Kashmir appeared on university walls, prompting the BJP to demand an investigation.

Abin Basil, a student at the university, alleged that the slogans had been put up deliberately to create controversy. He said the students condemned the slogans and maintained that their main demand was the restoration of student union elections.

Basil also accused the administration of trying to pressure protesters into ending their strike. He alleged that professors and security personnel had attempted to dismantle and remove the protest tent.

Responding to a question about the visit of MPs to the campus, Basil said their presence was not affecting the atmosphere, adding that the MPs were elected representatives of the students’ constituency.

The protest continues amid differences between the students and the university administration over the demand for campus union elections.