Police imposed restrictions around Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi on Tuesday as students continued a protest and planned a march from Okhla Head to the vice-chancellor’s residence, prompting a heightened security deployment around the university. The proposed march, scheduled for 3 pm, was later called off, but police teams remained stationed along the route and outside the campus late into the night.
Joint Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumar visited the area to review the security arrangements, according to Live Hindustan – NCR. Police teams were deployed from Okhla Head to the vice-chancellor’s residence as well as around the university’s gates and other external points. The deployment was intended to prevent any untoward incident after the protest and proposed march.
Around 12 people were detained after police said they attempted to enter the Jamia campus in small groups while raising slogans. The report did not specify the legal sections applied in relation to the detentions or how long those detained would remain in custody.
The restrictions were imposed under Section 163 in view of the ongoing sit-in and the proposed march. The report did not provide the text of the order or specify the geographical limits and duration of the restrictions. Police continued monitoring the area even after the march was cancelled.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police for Southeast Delhi denied claims that any university gate or part of the campus had been handed over to the police. He described those claims as completely false and baseless. The clarification came amid heightened attention to the police presence around the university and allegations concerning control of campus spaces.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said talks with Jamia students were continuing and appealed against any attempt to disturb law and order on the campus. His statement placed the protest within a broader administrative response involving the university, the police and the Union education ministry, although the report did not provide details of the discussions or identify the students’ demands in full.
A statement issued by Jamia teachers said the situation on campus had been assessed, including the review of online classes and the demands of protesting students. The teachers backed the administration’s October 26 order, which stated that student-union elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the student union’s constitution.
The teachers also alleged political interference in the campus protest and expressed concern that political parties were attempting to turn an internal university matter into a wider political confrontation. The statement did not identify the parties or provide evidence for the allegation. The immediate next steps remain the continuation of talks with students, the university administration’s handling of the election process and the police review of security arrangements around the campus.
