Jamia Millia Islamia has moved classes and semester examinations online after vandalism on campus, while Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces have deployed around 500 to 600 personnel around key gates and buildings. The university said the decision followed damage to campus property and continuing tension linked to demands for restoration of student union elections.
The vandalism allegedly took place on the night of 27 October. According to a statement issued by the university administration, a group of protesting students and local residents brought down Gate No. 4, carried out stone-pelting and damaged the CCTV control room, cameras and their connections. The administration also alleged that a group of masked protesters reached the boys’ hostel while trying to mobilise additional support.
The university further alleged that women teachers and wardens who attempted to persuade women protesters were threatened. The claims were made in the administration’s account of the incident; the supplied report does not include a separate police account confirming each allegation.
The university’s annual foundation-day ceremony, scheduled for 29 October, has been postponed. The administration said it had held repeated talks with students, including a meeting on the Tuesday evening before the incident, but the discussions had not produced an agreement. It described the latest meeting as its seventh attempt at dialogue.
The dispute is linked to a hunger strike by students seeking the restoration of student union elections. The protest continued on Wednesday. Two NSUI office-bearers, Faizan and Zeeshan, were detained near Gate No. 4, according to an account posted by NSUI on X. The organisation said they were taken to an unknown location. Students on hunger strike have appealed for peace on the campus.
Security was particularly visible at Gates 4 and 7 and along Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Marg, from the area near Patodi Sports Complex towards Jamia School and the vice-chancellor’s office. Riot-control vehicles were also deployed. A police officer said Delhi Police had stationed around 250 to 300 personnel, with roughly the same number of personnel from outside security forces. The report said local police had also met representatives of some resident welfare associations in the surrounding area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vineet Kumar of the South-East district said the police had not received a complaint from the university in connection with the matter, according to the report. The supplied account also noted that actor Naseeruddin Shah had expressed support for the students.
An office order issued on 28 October by university registrar Professor Mohammad Mahtab Alam Rizvi said online classes for the odd semester would continue until 24 November because the campus environment was not considered suitable for regular academic activity. Practical examinations, fieldwork, project vivas and minor-project assessments will be held online from 25 to 30 November, followed by online theory examinations from 1 to 24 December. The university said the schedule would be reviewed in light of the prevailing situation.
