The curtain came down on Jamia Millia Islamia’s six-day mega 105th Foundation Day and Talimi Mela after the ceremonial lowering of the Jamia flag in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The weeklong celebration, packed with cultural performances, literary sessions, and a vibrant food festival, drew massive crowds from across Delhi.
The real climax of the annual extravaganza, however, unfolded on its final evening of the Talimi Mela when a sea of people from across Okhla thronged the university grounds to witness the much-anticipated qawwali performance by the Niazi Nizami Brothers.
According to eyewitnesses and reliable sources, the performance scheduled to continue until 9 pm was abruptly called off early due to overcrowding and safety concerns. The turnout at Talimi Mela was described as unprecedented by insiders, with serpentine queues outside Gate No. 8 (the Centenary Gate) stretching up to the Ansari Auditorium road after sunset.
“There was near-chaotic saturation due to the massive crowd, and some unruly elements from outside added to the disorder at Talimi Mela last night,” said a source on condition of anonymity. “Ambulances were called twice after a few girls fainted in the rush.”
The university is yet to issue any statement.
Videos circulating on social media showed people enjoying the event, while a few unruly youths were seen engaging in hooliganism many among them were termed outsiders.
A university staff member, also speaking anonymously, said he left the venue after seeing the crowd swell uncontrollably. “I was later told that as a precautionary measure, all university gates were opened and the performance was stopped abruptly to allow the crowd to disperse safely,” he said.
He said fortunately no untoward incident occurred. “Everything was handled diligently by university staff and Delhi Police personnel, who were stationed at the gates to ensure that rules were followed and outsiders did not create chaos.”
Despite the abrupt ending, many attendees praised the spirit of the festival, which once again showcased Jamia’s cultural vibrancy and community connect though this year’s finale will also be remembered for the scenes that marred its conclusion.
Addressing a packed Ansari Auditorium earlier in the day in presence of the Delhi LG, Jamia Registrar Professor Mahtab Alam Rizvi commended the efforts of university staff for organizing such a large-scale event smoothly. Over the six days, thousands of students and visitors flocked to the campus.
Earlier in the week, Jamia’s Chief PRO informed the media that breathtaking performances and soulful compositions by renowned ghazal singers and Hindi poets captivated an audience of over 8,000 students, faculty members, and guests on the sprawling Ansari Auditorium lawns, creating a festive atmosphere across the campus.
In his presidential address delivered earlier in the week, Jamia Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif lauded the contributions of distinguished guests, noting that their presence strengthened the bond between the academic and spiritual worlds. “Jamia Millia Islamia has always stood for the highest ideals of education, culture, and service to humanity—values that define its very identity,” he said.
