Jamia Millia Islamia authorities arbitrarily closed the university library and canteens on Sunday, 15 December, the anniversary of the 2019 historic anti-CAA protest inside the university and the police violence on campus, to curb students’ protests and gatherings, allege student organisations.
“By shutting down the university, they aim to suppress the spirit of dissent, silence a symbol of defiance, and obliterate the memory of a historic struggle that stands as a testament to collective courage and resilience,” read a statement by Fraternity Movement Jamia.
The two circulars issued by the university say both the canteen and library will remain closed on Sunday for maintenance. This comes days after all the organisations on campus announced a protest gathering near the main gate of the university at 4 PM on Sunday.
The student organisations SFI, AISA, Fraternity Movement, NSUI, MSF, MSU, and all other groups are part of the scheduled students’ protest.
“We, the students of Jamia, are ashamed of the cowardly actions taken by the Jamia administration in the name of maintenance despite the fact that winter vacation is nearby. The administration has issued notice to shut down the canteens and the reading halls on the same day students decided to commemorate the atrocities against Jamia,” said MSF Jamia Millia Islamia unit.
“We strongly condemn such an authoritarian attitude against the protest announcement commemorating the events of December 15, 2019,” it added.
Many students also allege that they were denied entry to the university campus today.
