Jamia Protest Escalates: Police Detain 4, Close Campus Gates As Classes Move Online Amid Stir Over Student Union Restoration

Tensions escalated at Jamia Millia Islamia University on Sunday after a massive uproar erupted outside Gate No. 7, prompting police to close the campus gates and detain four people, including three female student leaders.

The police action occurred after local leaders and students gathered outside Gate No. 7 and raised slogans, with several attempting to jump over the gate to enter the campus. Protesting students at the main gates were removed by law enforcement, with demonstrators alleging that authorities denied them access to food and water.

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The crackdown comes amid an ongoing student protest demanding the restoration of the university’s students' union and a controversy over graffiti reading "Free Kashmir" and "Release Sharjeel Imam" found on campus walls.

Jamia Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi on Saturday condemned the graffiti, clarifying that the university will not support such acts.

Key Demands Of The Protesting Students

The protest began on October 12, when students launched an indefinite hunger strike. The protesters have three key demands:

• An immediate announcement of the student union election schedule.
• The withdrawal of disciplinary actions against protesting students.
• The removal of the university’s Chief Proctor.

The demonstrators have accused the university administration of taking punitive action against those participating in the ongoing protests.

ALSO READ: Jamia Protest Row: 'Free Kashmir', 'Free Sharjeel Imam' Slogans Found On Campus Walls; University Vows Action, Additional Forces Deployed

Classes Move Online

Earlier on Saturday, the university shifted all classes online after protesting students and university staff confronted each other at the hunger strike site.

In a notice issued by the registrar's office, the university stated that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure student safety and maintain continuity in the teaching-learning process. Urging students across all courses to adhere to their online class schedules and avoid visiting the campus, the university announced that the entry gates and libraries will remain closed until further notice.

(With Inputs From Jagran.com And PTI)