Students from various organisations staged a protest outside Jamia Millia Islamia University, opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
The demonstrators called the legislation ‘unconstitutional,’ alleging that it threatens the autonomy of Waqf properties.
The protest began at 2 PM near Gate 7 of the university, with students chanting slogans and burning a copy of the Bill as a symbolic act of protest.
“The protest was symbolic; we collectively burnt the draconian Waqf Bill. This Bill was passed when students of Jamia, AMU, and other Muslim institutions were on Eid leave to prevent a mass movement in the streets. But we will take to the streets in large numbers in the coming days,” Naja MV, a student at Jamia Millia Islamia, told Maktoob Media.
According to a statement released by the protesting student organisations, the Jamia administration attempted to suppress the demonstration by locking down the campus.
“In a shameful display of authoritarianism, the Jamia administration locked down the campus—shutting all gates and preventing students from both entering and exiting,” read the statement. The protesters further claimed that when they gathered at the gate to demand their right to protest, the administration was compelled to open the gates under pressure.
Anticipating large-scale demonstrations, security in and around Jamia Nagar and Shaheen Bagh—areas with a history of student-led protests—was significantly increased. The Delhi Police, along with Rapid Action Forces, had been deployed in the area for the past three days. Foot patrols were conducted to monitor the situation, while university authorities restricted entry to the campus by locking Gate No. 7, allowing access only through a single point.
The protest was called by a coalition of student groups, including MSF (Muslim Students Federation), NSUI (National Students Union of India), Fraternity Movement, SFI (Students Federation of India), MSU, MSW, CRJD, DISSC, AISA, and concerned students of Jamia.
A press release issued by the protesting organisations ahead of the demonstration urged students and citizens to join the protest in front of Zakir Husain Central Library at 2 PM, right after Juma Namaz.
The release stated, “The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has been a topic of controversy, with many Muslim bodies and opposition parties raising concerns. The Bill aims to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, and streamline Waqf management. However, critics argue that it undermines the autonomy of Waqf institutions and may lead to the confiscation of Muslim properties, including mosques, madrasas, and cemeteries.”
The protesting students demanded that the government revoke the Bill and engage in meaningful dialogue with Muslim stakeholders. “The protesters demand that the government revoke the Waqf Amendment Bill, protecting the rights of Muslims and preserving the autonomy of Waqf institutions,” the release added.
Maktoob reached out to Jamia Millia Islamia’s Chief Proctor, Naved Jamal, regarding the university’s response to the protest. However, he directed all queries to the university’s media office. Calls and messages to Mahtab Alam Rizvi, the media officer, went unanswered.
The demonstration at Jamia comes in the wake of the Waqf Amendment Bill being reintroduced in Parliament on Wednesday. The legislation, which aims to overhaul the management of Waqf properties, has been met with strong opposition from minority rights groups and opposition lawmakers. Among the most contentious provisions of the Bill are those expanding government control over Waqf assets and centralising dispute resolution, which critics say could lead to further erosion of Muslim community rights.
