PHOTO BY RAJESH MEHTA
New Delhi: Nearly 70 students protested at Jamia Millia Islamia on Tuesday against a programme organised on campus to mark 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).Raising slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad”, the protesters gathered outside the venue, holding placards that read “Jamia is our university, not your shakha” and “Reject saffronisation of our campus”.The students, affiliated with Left-leaning groups, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA), demanded that the organisers leave the campus.A student alleged that while demonstrations were happening outside, the organisers attempted to bring the chief guest into the auditorium through alternative entry points.The programme, held under the RSS-linked Yuva Kumbh initiative to mark its centenary, drew objections a day earlier from the SFI’s campus unit, which termed it a “direct provocation”.University authorities, however, said the event was academic in nature. “The programme focused on themes such as youth, Indian Knowledge Systems and future prospects. We see no issue with discussions on these subjects,” a university official said.Students also questioned what they described as selective permissions on campus. They alleged that while student groups often face restrictions in organising discussions, the programme was allowed in a fully equipped auditorium.“For some time now, such programmes have been organised across universities in a coordinated manner, with auditoriums booked under the name of Yuva Kumbh. There was no clear information about the event, and details of speakers were not mentioned,” said Jamia student and AISA Delhi president Saiyed.Responding to the allegations, a university official said every event is approved based on academic merit and requires endorsement from two faculty members. “With four to five events taking place daily, it is not possible to monitor each closely. This programme was treated like any other,” the official said.
