In a development that has triggered serious questions about institutional fairness, Jamia Millia Islamia has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ramphool Meena, a tribal employee who had earlier alleged physical assault and casteist abuse over pressure of conversion by Associate Professor Dr Riyazuddin.
The decision follows the widespread media reporting of the incident, which was first highlighted by Organiser in January this year. According to Meena, the confrontation stemmed from his refusal to convert to Islam and escalated into both verbal and physical violence inside the university premises.
However, instead of institutional protection, Meena now faces disciplinary action for allegedly escalating the altercation and for speaking to the media about the incident.
The latest order dated March 5, signed by Jamia Registrar Mohammad Mahtab Alam Rizvi, states that a committee was constituted by the competent authority through an office order dated January 20, 2026, to examine the incident reported to have occurred on January 16, 2026, in the office of the University Polytechnic involving Associate Professor Dr Riyazuddin and UDC employee Ramphool Meena.
The order records that the committee examined statements of the concerned persons and witnesses and reviewed the material available on record.
According to the order, the committee concluded that the incident resulted in “a physical altercation between the two employees within the office premises during working hours.”
The order further states that the committee observed that during the course of the incident, “Ramphool Meena also engaged in conduct which contributed to the escalation of the altercation and attempted to assault Dr Riyazuddin by using a chair.”
Another observation recorded in the order concerns Meena’s interaction with the media. The committee noted that he approached media platforms and made statements regarding the matter.
The order states that “making statements before media houses on matters pending consideration of the Competent Authority is not appropriate conduct for a Government servant.”
Based on these observations, the administration concluded that Meena’s conduct prima facie violated Rule 3(1)(i), Rule 3(1)(ii) and Rule 3(1)(iii) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1965, along with provisions of Jamia Millia Islamia Ordinance 6 (VI) 32 (1) relating to administrative conduct.
The competent authority subsequently decided that the matter warranted initiation of disciplinary proceedings against him under the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965. The order further stated that Meena’s continued posting in the same office during the inquiry “may not be conducive to ensuring an impartial and uninfluenced inquiry.”
Accordingly, it was ordered that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against Ramphool Meena and that he be transferred from University Polytechnic to another department or centre of Jamia Millia Islamia with immediate effect until further orders.
FIR details: Allegations of caste abuse and assault
The disciplinary action against Meena comes despite a police case already being registered against Dr Riyazuddin.
According to the First Information Report (Number 33/2026) registered at Jamia Nagar Police Station on January 20, 2026, Meena narrated a series of disturbing allegations regarding casteist abuse and assault.
In his complaint to the police, Meena stated that Dr Riyazuddin confronted him and allegedly said, “Arey harami Meena, tumhari aukaat kaise hui ki tumne mere khilaaf complaint ki? Tum saale Adivasi jangli ho, Musalmanon ke idare mein rehkar mere khilaaf shikayat karne ki jurrat kaise ki?”
When Meena protested against this language, the professor allegedly moved closer and punched him in the face. According to the complaint, the assault did not stop there.
Meena told police that he was struck four to five additional times, causing his lips to bleed and leaving visible swelling beneath his left eye.
First Incident on January 13
According to the written complaint and FIR, tensions between the two began several days earlier.
Meena stated that the first incident occurred on January 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 pm inside the University Polytechnic office.
He was sitting at his desk performing routine official work when Dr Riyazuddin allegedly entered his office area and approached his table. The professor allegedly addressed him using caste-linked slurs, calling him “Meena kamina.”
When Meena objected and asked him to speak with dignity, the situation escalated further. As per the complaint, Dr Riyazuddin began hurling obscene abuses involving Meena’s mother and sister. Meena described the verbal attack as aggressive, humiliating and completely unprovoked.
Shaken by the incident, Meena submitted a written complaint to the Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia the same day.
Allegations of administrative indifference
According to Meena’s account, what followed after he lodged the complaint was deeply troubling.
He alleged that the university administration did not take any action for the next two days after receiving his complaint.
More alarmingly, he claimed that the contents of his written complaint were leaked from the Registrar’s office to the accused faculty member. The alleged leak, Meena claims, further aggravated tensions and ultimately culminated in the physical assault described in the FIR.
After examining the complaint and medical evidence, the police concluded that offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had been made out.
Specifically, the case includes charges under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which relate to intentionally insulting or intimidating a member of a Scheduled Tribe with the intent to humiliate them in public view.
Additionally, Section 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was invoked in relation to the alleged physical assault.
The FIR was registered through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) and the investigation was handed over to the concerned police officer.
Committee confirms assault by Professor
Significantly, the Jamia inquiry committee itself recorded that a physical altercation occurred and that Dr Riyazuddin assaulted Meena.
According to the March 5 order, the committee examined statements of multiple witnesses, including Dr Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, Acting Principal of University Polytechnic, Dr Md. Khursheed Akram, Head of Applied Sciences and Humanities at the Polytechnic, and staff member Faheem Naqvi.
The report noted that the physical assault was corroborated by witness statements. It also recorded that Dr Riyazuddin used “unparliamentary abusive language” against Meena during the altercation.
Based on these findings, the competent authority concluded that Dr Riyazuddin’s conduct prima facie violated Rule 3(1)(i), Rule 3(1)(ii), and Rule 3(1)(iii) of the CCS Conduct Rules and the code of conduct applicable to teachers.
Professor placed under suspension
Following the committee’s findings, Jamia Millia Islamia placed Dr Riyazuddin under suspension pending disciplinary proceedings. The suspension order, issued under Statute 37(1) of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988, states that the professor would remain suspended with immediate effect during the course of the inquiry.
During the period of suspension, his headquarters would remain Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi and he would not be allowed to leave without prior permission from the competent authority.
He would, however, be entitled to a subsistence allowance as per Rule 53 of the Fundamental Rules.
Questions over institutional bias
Despite the professor’s suspension, the university’s simultaneous disciplinary action against the complainant has raised questions about institutional priorities and fairness.
Many argue that the administration appears to be penalising the victim for speaking publicly about the alleged abuse. The controversy has also drawn comparisons with a separate incident in December 2025 involving Professor Virendra Balaji Shahare.
Shahare was suspended within days after he set an examination question asking students to “discuss atrocities against Muslims in India with examples.”
The suspension order dated December 23, 2025, even mentioned that an FIR would be filed against him.
In contrast, many point out that the present case involves allegations of physical assault, caste abuse, and an FIR under the SC/ST Act, yet the complainant himself is now facing disciplinary proceedings.
Larger question on campus climate
Recent developments have intensified debate about the campus climate at Jamia Millia Islamia.
For many, the case has come to symbolise a troubling message: that raising one’s voice against alleged injustice within certain institutional settings may come at the cost of professional consequences.
As the disciplinary proceedings move forward and the police investigation continues, the case is likely to remain under close scrutiny, raising broader questions about institutional accountability, protection for whistleblowers, and the treatment of marginalised employees within university spaces.
