MPs Under Fire: Delhi Police File FIR for Jamia Trespassing
Delhi Police register an FIR against MPs for trespassing at Jamia Millia Islamia during student protests over union restoration.
The tension at Jamia Millia Islamia has escalated further as the Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) for alleged trespassing against Members of Parliament (MPs). The legal action follows a formal complaint lodged by university authorities after the lawmakers entered the campus to meet students engaged in an ongoing protest.
The Root of the Unrest
The campus has been a site of agitation since October 12, with students launching a protest and hunger strike. The demonstrators are demanding three primary concessions from the administration:
- The restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU).
- The revocation of disciplinary actions taken against students involved in the protests.
- The immediate removal of the university’s Chief Proctor.
The situation grew more volatile in the early stages of the demonstration when Delhi Police attempted to clear protesters from their chosen site, leading to a heightened state of friction on campus.
University Administration Takes a Stand
In a significant move to resolve the deadlock, a high-level seven-member committee of professors was formed on October 18 to mediate between the students and the administration. Following four rounds of negotiations and an appeal to end the strike, a massive gathering took place on Saturday at the Ansari Auditorium lawns.
The meeting saw the participation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif, Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, and over 1,500 teaching and non-teaching staff members. During this assembly, the faculty expressed deep distress over the state of the campus, highlighting incidents of vandalism and the appearance of "highly objectionable slogans" painted on the walls.
The faculty and staff asserted that such actions undermine the academic atmosphere and the dignity of an institution that carries a distinguished 106-year legacy.
Resolutions for Normalcy
The gathering of university employees concluded with two firm resolutions aimed at restoring order:
- Vacating the Site: The employees urged protesters to leave the Ghalib statue lawns, which they claimed had been illegally occupied, and return to Gate No. 18, the university's designated area for protests.
- Cleaning the Campus: A resolve was passed to repaint the defaced walls and remove slogans described as condemnable and detrimental to the security, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation.
The History of the Students' Union
The demand for the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) brings back a contentious history. The union was originally suspended in 2006. This decision was made by the administration following a series of violent clashes, attacks directed at teachers, and frequent disruptions of academic classes.