Campus Coercion

Jamia Millia Islamia, one of Delhi’s most storied universities, finds itself at the heart of yet another firestorm. Accusations by the NGO ‘Call For Justice’ allege that a cabal within the university has systematically targeted Hindu students, faculty and staff, coercing them to convert to Islam under threats that range from academic sabotage to sexual violence. The charges are severe, disturbing, and, if true, point to an environment steeped in discrimination and intimidation.

The investigation, spearheaded by a committee including a former Delhi HC judge and a former Delhi Police Commissioner among others, uncovered testimonies that paint a bleak picture. Hindu students reported being forced to recite the Kalma (the Islamic oath of allegiance) and faced the threat of academic penalties for refusal. More horrifying still are claims of acid attack threats and the use of sexual harassment as a weapon to break resistance. The report also suggests that preferential admissions were leveraged to manipulate vulnerable groups, particularly SC/ST Hindu students, as part of a broader scheme of religious coercion.

The allegations reach beyond students; Hindu and Christian faculty and non-teaching staff claim they have been denied promotions and overworked as punitive measures for their faith. According to a member of the fact-finding team, over 50 individuals have come forward, with 27 statements already recorded. Yet, despite this outcry, Jamia’s administration remains conspicuously silent, failing to assuage growing fears or pledge transparency. The spectre of ‘love jihad’ emerges in the findings, suggesting that romantic relationships have been exploited as a conduit for conversion. Coupled with accusations of social ostracism and targeted harassment, these revelations demand more than perfunctory probes.

The silence of so-called ‘progressive’ media in this context is striking. When allegations arise involving discrimination against Hindus, their response is notably muted. This selective outrage raises questions about the objectivity of their advocacy and the underlying biases that inform their coverage. Such double standards erode public trust in the media and obscure the pursuit of balanced truth.

No stranger to controversy, Jamia Millia Islamia was a significant site during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in 2019, which escalated into clashes between students and law enforcement. Instead of actually fostering any intellectual debate, the varsity, like its peer, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), has been accused of fostering radical elements and fostering discord. More recently, Diwali celebrations in Jamia were disrupted and marked by chants of ‘Palestine Zindabad.’

Universities should be arenas of open discourse and safe spaces for all ideologies, not grounds for sectarian power plays. The stakes are high. For India’s democracy to thrive, its institutions, especially its universities, must embody inclusivity and fairness. The nation’s future demands it.