Delhi High Court Intervenes: Jamia Millia Islamia Withdraws Suspension of 10 Students

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has withdrawn the suspension of at least 10 students who were suspended for allegedly taking part in protests on campus. The students have, however, been directed to execute a "bond of good conduct" within seven working days from the date of receiving the withdrawal letter. This comes on the heels of a Delhi High Court order suspending the university's suspension order.

Recently, JMI had suspended 17 students for staging protests against two PhD scholars' disciplinary action purportedly for coordinating "Jamia Resistance Day" on December 15, 2024. The event celebrates the start of the 2019 protests on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The students were also staging a protest against the university banning demonstrations on campus. After their police detention, which ended an indefinite sit-in demonstration within the campus, the university suspended them on charges of suspected vandalism and unauthorized agitations.

The JMI administration has yet to provide any official statement on the issue or lifting of suspension of the remaining seven students. While this is on, some of the students have come out opposing signing the undertaking. In an interview with PTI, AISA-supported students Saurabh and Sonakshi said, "We will not sign any bond of good conduct and will seek legal help if necessary."

While 10 students are now cleared to attend classes, students say that only a single one of the seven who had moved the Delhi High Court against the suspension has got a revocation letter.

Apart from that, two students have also been directed to pay fines of Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 under disciplinary action. A letter given by the Office of the JMI Chief Proctor to one of the students states, "On reconsidering the Discipline Committee's recommendation dated February 2, the Competent Authority, JMI, exercising the power under statute 31 of the JMI Act, has resolved to cancel the Suspension Order dated February 12, with a fine of Rs 5,000 to be deposited within a month from the date of receipt of this letter."

The letter also directs the student to return to academic pursuits maintaining university regulations by filing the "Bond of Good Conduct" in seven working days. The two disciplinary committees on February 25 and March 4 had advised cancellation of suspensions, which were stayed after the Delhi High Court intervened on March 4.

There was also a controversy when a list of suspended students-- including their phone numbers and addresses -- was said to have been posted at the university entrance. Students accused the administration of orchestrating the act, but the university refuted this. The list was subsequently taken down, though.

Seven of the suspended students approached the Delhi High Court challenging the university's action. The court, during the hearing of their plea, suspended the suspension order on March 4 and asked the university to constitute a committee to settle the matter.