Jamia Millia Islamia has warned students against protests without approval, following recent dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The directive prohibits demonstrations targeting authorities and threatens disciplinary action for violations. Critics, including the All India Students’ Association, argue it’s a political move against student activism, calling for unity to defend university autonomy and democratic values.
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has issued a stern warning to students, cautioning them against organizing protests or raising slogans without prior approval from university authorities. The directive, dated November 29, comes in response to recent demonstrations where slogans were allegedly raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The university’s office memorandum emphasized that protests, especially those targeting constitutional dignitaries or law enforcement agencies, are strictly prohibited without formal consent.
“It is once again reiterated for the information of all students of the University that no protests, dharnas, or raising slogans against any constitutional dignitaries shall be allowed in any part of the University Campus, otherwise disciplinary action against such erring students shall be initiated as per provisions of the University rules,”
the memorandum stated.
Faculty members and department heads have been tasked with ensuring students are informed about the guidelines. Violators risk disciplinary action, as per the university’s regulations.
The directive has sparked sharp criticism from the All India Students’ Association (AISA), which accused the university of “succumbing to political pressure” from the ruling regime.
“This directive is not merely an attack on students—it is an attack on the very essence of a university,”
AISA said in a statement.
AISA also alleged that the administration has become a “mouthpiece for the BJP-RSS agenda”, pledging to resist what it termed the “Sangh’s authoritarian grip” on Jamia’s governance.
Jamia has a long history of activism, from its anti-colonial origins to its prominent role in opposing the CAA-NRC. AISA vowed to uphold this legacy, stating:
“We will not let this legacy be hijacked by the Sangh’s foot soldiers in the administration.”
The current directive references a similar notice from August 2022, reiterating restrictions on protests within campus premises. The university asserts that such measures are necessary to maintain its academic environment.
AISA called on students and democratic forces to unite against the order, emphasizing the need to reclaim the university’s autonomy.
“This is part of the Sangh’s larger agenda to strip universities of their autonomy and transform them into factories of conformity,”
the group declared.
As the university tightens its policies, the directive has reignited the debate over the balance between maintaining order and preserving the democratic ethos of higher education institutions.
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