Protesting Jamia students chased down, beaten up by 'goons', administration refutes accusations

Students protesting at Jamia Millia Islamia were allegedly beaten up by 'goons' on Tuesday evening. They claim that while they were being beaten up with all sorts of things from belts, sticks, potted plants for over half an hour and all the while, the guards stood mute. Hundreds of students had gathered at the Vice Chancellor's office this morning and vowed to not clear out from the area unless she addresses their problem.

Students said that at around 6 pm, 'bouncers' allegedly hired by the Jamia administration arrived at the protest site. "They used everything possible to hit us with, belts, sticks, they just beat up the students mercilessly. Some students fainted, some were being rushed to the hospital right in front of my eyes. They were chasing us and hitting us," a student said. "Many women students have been molested and harassed by these bouncers," another student said. 

Students who have been hospitalised | Pic sent by students

The administration completely denies that they had anything to do with the students getting beaten up. A representative told Edex that a scuffle had broken out after the protestings students refused to allow delegates from a conference to leave the venue. "When the students of the English department tried to help the delegates take their vehicles out, the protesting students stopped them. A scuffle then broke out between the two groups," the administration claimed. They also accused the students of damaging vehicles parked in the complex where the protest is taking place.

The representatives from the administration told Edex that they have been repeatedly trying to convince the students not to cause disturbances and create a law and order situation on campus. The representative said that they have frequently held meetings with the students, "Today when the student organizations gheraoed the VC's office, a group of senior teachers and officials met the students and listened to their concerns and requested them to lift the siege. We promised them that their demands will be discussed at the highest level but they refused."

Scenes at Jamia Milia Islamia | Pic sent by Jamia administration

"Not a single person who is coming to talk to us is saying they will fulfill our demands, we want the VC to come and address us," a protestor said. During the incident though, students said that several guards and security officers remained in the area of the protest, "Not a single guard came forward to help the students who were getting beaten up. They just stood and watched as we were trashed by these goons. Why are they even here? Just to check our ID cards?" The attackers are not on campus anymore but a student told us that they recognised a few of them, "Some faces are familiar, they usually cause such trouble on campus." However, the administration stated that the guards did try to stop the students from 'fighting'.

"Instead of talking to us, they are sending bouncers to beat us up," the students claim. Even though students are being hospitalised and have suffered injuries, the students are determined to continue their protests.

For the last nine days, the students have been on a protest against the administration's decision to issue show-cause notices to five students. These five students had participated in a symbolic demonstration to protest against Israel being a country-partner for an event on campus. The event had Israeli delegates as well and the students held a silent protest with placards. However, they claim a few students were beaten up by the guards and proctorial staff. When they demanded an enquiry, five of them were served show-cause notices.