Jamia student protest activity intensified on Sunday evening as police and students clashed at Gate 7 of Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, while the university continued online classes and kept its library closed amid a dispute over student union elections. The protest has been continuing since October 12, according to a report by Live Hindustan – NCR.
The confrontation took place near the protest site as students continued raising slogans despite appeals from the university administration and teachers to end the demonstration. The report described the incident as a clash and physical jostling between police personnel and students at Gate 7.
There was also a claim that three women and one man who had arrived to participate in the protest were taken into custody by police. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vineet Kumar denied that anyone had been detained. The conflicting accounts mean that the status of the four people could not be independently established from the information available in the report.
The immediate dispute has widened after the university moved classes online. Citing reports from ANI, Live Hindustan – NCR said protestors questioned the decision and alleged that it was intended to empty the campus and weaken their demand for the restoration of the student union. The university has not been reported as accepting that allegation.
According to a notice issued by the registrar’s office, as cited in a PTI report, online classes were arranged to ensure students’ safety and allow teaching to continue without interruption. The university advised students across courses to attend classes online and avoid visiting the campus. It also announced that the library would remain closed until further orders.
The protest is centred on the demand for student union elections at Jamia Millia Islamia. Students taking part in a hunger strike have alleged that the administration is using reasons to remove the protest site near the Ghalib statue lawn. The report does not specify when the university last held student union elections or identify the precise administrative process required for their restoration.
A seven-member high-level committee of university professors was formed on October 18, according to the report. The committee had been attempting to mediate between the administration and students for a week over the election demand. The latest confrontation occurred despite that mediation effort and the appeals for the protest to end.
The developments have affected the functioning of the campus beyond the protest site. Moving teaching online and closing the library have altered access to classrooms, study facilities and everyday university services. The university’s stated reason is safety and continuity of education, while protesting students have challenged the decision as a measure aimed at suppressing their campaign.
The situation was reported to be normal by the time of the report, with security personnel deployed at the university. Further developments will depend on the mediation committee’s efforts, the administration’s position on student union elections and any official clarification regarding the alleged detentions.
