Unrest Unfolds at Jamia Millia Islamia Amid Ram Mandir Celebrations: Pro-Babri Masjid slogans spark tensions (Image: Hindustan Times)
On January 22, the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi witnessed heightened tensions as videos surfaced on social media platforms depicting students raising pro-Babri Masjid slogans. The incident unfolded on the same day when the nation celebrated the festivities surrounding the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya. The provocative videos prompted the Delhi Police to deploy heavy security outside the university, increasing vigilance to prevent any potential untoward incidents.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident as of now, as no official complaint has been filed with the Delhi Police. The university administration has asserted that they are actively investigating the matter.
The Delhi Police revealed that the deployment of security personnel outside the university was a precautionary measure in response to videos circulating on social media, showing students raising slogans such as “Strike for Babri.”
A police official stated, “The deployment of police personnel outside (the university) is a precautionary measure,” emphasising the need for heightened security during the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and the upcoming Republic Day.
A Twitter handle identified as Fraternity Movement JMI shared a video featuring students chanting slogans like ‘Strike for Babri’ and ‘RSS down down.’ The accompanying caption stated, “Boycott for Babri. Resistance is Remembrance. Fraternity Movement Jamia Millia Islamia organised a university-wide strike, urging students to boycott classes and reading rooms in solidarity with Babri Masjid.”
Despite the controversial nature of the slogans, no arrests have been made. The Delhi Police reported that after receiving information, the administration took prompt action by removing the involved individuals. The absence of an official complaint led to no further police action.
The Jamia Millia Islamia administration assured that academic activities were not disrupted due to the “protest” and asserted that the situation was under control.
An official from the university stated, “There were 2-3 students who raised slogans and showed placards yesterday. When we got the knowledge, the students were removed from the place. The University is further looking into the matter.”
In response to the incident, a statement from the Delhi Police reported, “In a viral video, some people at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia tried to protest on the university campus on the evening of January 22. After getting the information, the administration removed all of them. No action was initiated because the protest happened inside the campus and no official complaint was given to the police.”
The viral video showcased a man chanting slogans of “Allahu Akbar,” “Strike for Babri,” and “RSS down down.”
In a similar incident, tensions flared at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Pune as students displayed ‘Remember Babri’ posters a day after the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. The provocative posters led to a clash with members of Hindu outfits, escalating into a heated confrontation on campus. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) denounced this act and wrote a letter to Union Minister Anurag Thakur denouncing the action of the FTII students.
Notably, January 22 marked Diwali-like celebrations nationwide as Shri Ram Lalla returned to his birthplace after a wait of five centuries. The construction of the Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi, which was demolished in 1528, has been a contentious issue. Following nearly 500 years of struggle and over 30 years of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Ram Lalla, designating the disputed land to construct the Ram Mandir and allocating 5 acres for Muslims to build a mosque.
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