The ongoing Jamia hostel protest at Jamia Millia Islamia has intensified over complaints about poor-quality food at the Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel mess, with student organisation All India Students’ Association (AISA) alleging that students were assaulted during the demonstration. The university has denied the allegations and accused some protesters of damaging hostel gates and manhandling members of its proctorial team.
The protest entered its third day on Saturday after students raised concerns about the quality of food served at the hostel mess. Students alleged that insects and other foreign objects had been found in meals. They are demanding cancellation of the existing mess vendor’s contract, appointment of female staff at the mess and action against hostel authorities. They have also sought assurance that participating students will not face disciplinary action.
AISA Alleges Students Were Assaulted
AISA alleged that Assistant Proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik manhandled and assaulted students near the Dean of Students’ Welfare office at around 1 a.m. on Friday. According to the students’ organisation, the incident occurred after students resisted what it described as attempts to intimidate them during the protest.
AISA further alleged that a student’s mobile phone was taken while she was recording the incident. The organisation also claimed that electricity was switched off near the Centenary Gate, where students were protesting, and that barricades were placed to isolate the demonstrators.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the university has rejected the claims of assault.
Jamia University Denies Assault Allegations
Jamia Millia Islamia officials denied the allegations made by AISA and presented a different account of the confrontation. According to the university, some students broke two gates of the girls’ hostel and allegedly manhandled members of the proctorial team, which officials said raised concerns about the security of students and staff.
The university also said that the students were protesting outside the designated protest site near Gate No. 18. Officials maintained that most of the students’ demands had already been accepted on the first day of the protest and accused the demonstrators of escalating the situation.
On the allegation that electricity was deliberately switched off near the protest site, the university said lights in certain parts of the campus are routinely turned off as part of energy-conservation measures. It denied that the decision was connected to the demonstration.
Students Continue Protest Over Hostel Food
The dispute began with complaints about food quality at the Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel. Students have maintained that the mess facilities did not meet acceptable standards and have sought changes in the system governing food supply at the hostel.
The university had reportedly agreed to change the hostel mess contractor following an earlier protest. Students later resumed their demonstration, alleging that the administration had not fully implemented the assurances given to them.
The latest confrontation has therefore widened the dispute from hostel food and mess management to questions surrounding student safety, disciplinary action and the administration’s handling of campus protests.
University Questions Timing of Demonstration
Jamia officials also questioned the timing of the protest, alleging that attempts were being made to create a “media spectacle” while the BRICS summit was taking place in New Delhi. The two-day summit began on Saturday.
The university’s comments come as the administration and protesting students continue to offer conflicting accounts of the events surrounding the demonstration. While AISA has accused university officials of using force against students, the administration has maintained that protesters themselves created a security concern by allegedly damaging hostel gates and confronting members of the proctorial team.
The Jamia hostel protest has brought renewed attention to student welfare, hostel food safety and the mechanisms available for students to raise grievances within university campuses. The immediate dispute remains centred on the mess contractor and students’ demands, while the allegations surrounding Friday night’s confrontation remain contested.