A day after reports surfaced of a clash allegedly between two groups of students at Jamia Millia Islamia late on Friday night, leaving several students injured, another incident of alleged sexual assault of a girl student on the campus, left many in deep shock.
The alleged assault took place around 9:30 pm on April 27 when a university girl student was allegedly assaulted by a 22-year-old mess worker.
The man who sexually assaulted the Kashmiri Muslim girl is a Muslim youth.
UPDATE FROM JAMIA ADMINISTRATION
An unfortunate and strongly condemnable incident of molestation was reported by a female day-scholar student of Jamia Millia Islamia yesterday, said Jamia administration. “The university’s proctorial and security teams, along with the Security Advisor and Chief Proctor, acted speedily and alerted the Jamia Nagar Police Station. The police squad promptly arrived at the university gate and apprehended the accused.
READ FULL REPORT HERE: Kashmiri student’s assault case: Latest developments and Jamia issues important statement
“The accused was detained the same night. The student has not yet filed a formal complaint, but she is expected to do so today, after which an FIR will be registered,” a police official stated, reported NDTV.
Police said the altercation stemmed from a personal matter, reported NDTV.
Investigation is going on to know the real reason behind the scene but the incident has certainly made Jamia’s head hang in shame, said one student.
According to a student group, the assault occurred outside Gate 8 of the campus. The university administration has not yet issued an official response.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) at Jamia condemned the assault, calling it a serious security lapse.
SFI Jamia unit strongly condemned the horrific incident of sexual harassment against the Kashmiri student on the campus. “We stand in solidarity with the survivor and demand a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Justice must be served,” it said in a statement posted on social media.
Students gathered to seek justice for the girl student.
As words spread in the locality, some local YouTubers who had turned up outside the campus to speak with the protesting students were stopped from reporting, said a student. It is understood that protesting students were not willing to be interviewed fearing action, said a student.
A student said: “The girl was visibly disturbed and shaken. This isn’t just about her this is about every one of us. If this can happen late at night, right under the nose of security, how are we supposed to feel safe? We demand: a) Immediate and transparent investigation into the incident; b) Accountability for the guards who stood by and failed to act; c) security measures that protect students, not just harass them over ID cards; d) stronger protections especially for marginalised and vulnerable students.”
AISA criticised the security staff, claiming they stood by during the incident and allowed the accused to re-enter campus unchecked.
“Despite being a heavily militarised space, the university has repeatedly failed in its responsibility to ensure safety,” AISA said. The group demanded a transparent investigation, strict action against the perpetrator, and accountability of the security personnel involved.
“Safety is not a privilege; it is a basic right,” SFI said. “We stand in unwavering solidarity with the survivor and will not allow this incident to be swept under the rug. If the administration continues to remain silent, we will escalate our protests through all necessary means until our demands are met.”
Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has released emergency helpline numbers and formed a dedicated team to support students and liaise with authorities.
On Monday, security was beefed at the campus.
The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Jamia Millia Islamia unit, strongly condemns the horrific assault on a Kashmiri female student near gate 8 of the university — all in full view of campus security.
“Shamefully, the perpetrator — a dining staff— was not only allowed to carry out the assault but was also permitted daily entry into campus. This incident exposes a disturbing failure of campus security, especially given the routine harassment students face at checkpoints. We demand immediate action: Full legal support to the survivor; accountability for security personnel who failed their duty; immediate removal of male staff from all Girls’ Hostel and appointment of female mess bearers to ensure a safe and dignified environment and a comprehensive review and overhaul of campus safety measures. In light of the rising violence on campus, the administration must act swiftly to restore safety and dignity for all students. We stand firmly with the survivor and reaffirm that our campuses must be spaces of security, dignity, and learning,” it said.
