Some Jamia Millia Islamia students have given a call for protest on Monday against the “assault on a girl student” during a protest march to mark 17 years of the Batla House encounter on Friday.
According to a poster doing the round, students are demanding the “resignation of the Security Advisor”. The poster said: “Appoint any professor as Security Advisor. Demonstration against campus brutality. A female student was dragged on the concrete road for over 10 metres by security guards inside the campus. Students were further forcibly dragged and handed over to police. Students are not criminals. Boycott classes.”
Another protest call reads: “Call for justice. Dear friends, on September 19 a girl student was brutally assaulted by a Jamia guard. Immediate action now. We urge students to join the protest on September 22. Boycott classes.”
Jamia students expressed anger over the alleged assault on a girl student by campus guards and the police action that followed their protest after video of the incident went viral. The All India Students’ Association (AISA), a Left-wing student body, gave a call for protest on Friday, planning to march to Khaliullah Mosqu, close to L-18 where the encounter had taken place 17 years ago.
Delhi Police detained at least 12 students outside Jamia on Friday. Police maintained that action was taken only after students tried to leave the campus and raised provocative slogans.
AISA, however, alleged that the detentions amounted to “abductions” and accused the university administration of colluding with authorities. The university has not yet responded to these allegations.
In its statement, AISA claimed that nearly 20 students, including female students, were “dragged out of the campus” and “handed over to police personnel waiting outside Gate Number 7.” Among those detained, the group said, were AISA Delhi State President Saiyed Ishfaq, AISA Jamia Secretary Saurabh, and two other student leaders.
Dismissing the charges, DCP (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said: “AISA activists came out of gate number 7 and tried to march towards Khallilulah mosque. Despite repeated requests, they were hell-bent on marching. After due warnings and precautions, they were detained. No one was dragged at all.”
He then said additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the area. “No one will be allowed to breach law and order,” the officer said.
AISA secretary Sourabh, along with students Mantesha and Shajahan, were among those detained on Friday.
The detained student protesters were released later the same day.
Jamia AISA president Mishkat accused the administration of complicity, claiming officials handed over students in broad daylight. She alleged male guards tore her dress while manhandling her, and female guards dragged a hijab-wearing protester. “We were just peacefully marching,” said student Uthara R, who claimed Gate No. 7 was left open to facilitate police grabs, with detentions continuing inside the campus as reported by media.
