Students at Jamia Millia Islamia observed Jamia Remembrance Day on Monday, marking four years since a significant police crackdown on the campus. The event commemorated the forceful entry of Delhi Police into the university on December 15, 2019 , amidst protests against new citizenship laws.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) Jamia unit, alongside other student organizations, orchestrated the memorial. Over 100 students participated in a solemn march. The procession began at the central canteen and proceeded to the university library, identified by students as a primary site of alleged police violence.
The 2019 Crackdown: Student Allegations
On December 15, 2019 , Jamia students had organized a protest march. Their demonstration opposed the recently enacted Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) . Student groups allege Delhi Police responded with brutal force, entering the university campus without official permission.
Police reportedly fired tear gas shells within the campus grounds. They also allegedly stormed the university library, where students were studying. Officers are accused of breaking glass, vandalizing university premises, and physically assaulting students inside the library. Students have consistently maintained that gunshots were also fired during the incident.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) , which became law in December 2019, offers a pathway to Indian citizenship. This pathway applies to non-Muslim religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians. These individuals must have fled religious persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before 2015. Critics contend the law violates India’s secular constitutional principles by introducing a religious criterion for citizenship.
The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a proposed national database intended to identify legal citizens of India. Protesters raised significant concerns that a nationwide implementation of the NRC, particularly when coupled with the CAA, could disproportionately affect and potentially render stateless many individuals, especially Muslims, who might struggle to provide required documentation.
Demand for Accountability and Broader Impact
Four years after the incident, student representatives assert a complete lack of accountability. Atikur Rehman, president of the SFI Jamia unit, stated that neither the central government nor the Delhi Police has faced consequences for the actions on campus. This absence of accountability remains a central grievance for student bodies.
Rehman emphasized the incident’s lasting impact beyond Jamia. He described December 15, 2019 , as a pivotal moment. The event galvanized a nationwide student-led movement. This movement mobilized against perceived police brutality and the contentious CAA-NRC laws, sparking widespread protests across India.
Concerns Over Campus Democracy
Student groups at Jamia Millia Islamia allege a sustained attack on campus democracy. They accuse the university administration of engaging in “witch-hunting” and harassment against student activists. This alleged targeting includes issuing show-cause notices, imposing suspensions, and initiating other disciplinary actions.
These punitive measures are reportedly enforced against students who organize protests, events, or express dissent. Student bodies view these actions as attempts to stifle free speech and peaceful assembly within the university environment.
Commitment to Rights
In its official statement, SFI Jamia commended the enduring resilience of the university’s student community. The organization reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to student advocacy. It pledged to continue fighting alongside students to safeguard campus democracy and uphold fundamental democratic rights within the institution.