Jamia hostel protest over mess food escalates; varsity denies assault charges

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The All India Students’ Association (AISA) on Saturday accused an Assistant Proctor of assaulting students amid an ongoing protest over poor food quality at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel. The university denied the allegation and instead said the students had manhandled security personnel. The authorities also said most of the students’ demands had already been accepted.

The protest broke out on Thursday after students complained about the poor quality of food served in the mess, alleging that insects and foreign objects were regularly found in their meals. The students have been demanding an immediate change of the mess vendor, recruitment of female staff, and a written assurance from the administration that no disciplinary action will be taken against those participating in the agitation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, AISA accused the university administration of using force against the demonstrating students. The student body claimed that the assistant proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik manhandled and assaulted a student near the Dean of Students’ Welfare office around 1 am on Friday, after the electricity was switched off. It also alleged that several students suffered minor injuries during the commotion.

The students, AISA said, continued their sit-in through the night near Centenary Gate despite the power outage. It also alleged that Gate No. 13 was closed and barricaded with three layers, which it described as an attempt to isolate the protesters.

Rejecting the allegations, university officials said most demands were accepted on day one and accused the students of escalating the situation.

A Jamia Millia Islamia spokesperson said, “Students broke two gates of the girls’ hostel, putting everyone’s security at risk, and manhandled members of the proctorial team.” The university also added that the protesters were not demonstrating at the designated protest site near Gate No. 18.

The university also clarified that lights in parts of the campus are routinely turned off to save energy and the move was unrelated to the protest.

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