Jamia Millia Islamia moves classes online amid row over slogans raised at protest

Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) university has decided to hold classes online after slogans raised at the ongoing protests on the campus over restoration of students' union kicked up a row.Security personnel keep vigil as students of Jamia Millia Islamia amid the ongoing protests at the university. (PTI)Earlier it was reported that ‘Free Kashmir’ slogans were allegedly raised at the protest, a claim denied by the protesting students as well as Congress leader Imran Masood who visited the campus on Friday to meet protesting students."No slogans calling for a “free Kashmir” were raised there, not a single one. I stood up in front of everyone and strongly condemned such slogans, stating that Kashmir is an integral part of India," Masood was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.The ongoing protests prompted the university administration to cancel its 106th Foundation Day celebrations, HT reported earlier.The celebration, called ‘Talimi Mela’, was scheduled from October 29 to November 1 at the campus in New Delhi to showcase the university’s cultural and educational heritage.“The protesting students have not yet agreed to the proposed resolution, and normalcy has not yet been restored on campus. In view of this, and keeping the safety and well-being of our students, guests and participants foremost in mind, it has been decided with deep regret to cancel Talimi Mela 2026, scheduled from 29 October to 1 November 2026,” JMI’s Dean of Students’ Welfare stated this in an internal communication dated October 21, addressed to heads of departments and deans.Why are JMI students protesting?The students of JMI have been protesting over the past few weeks, demanding restoration of their students’ union (JMISU) while calling for the removal of the university’s chief proctor for “cracking down” on protesters. Jamia's student union was dissolved in March 2006.The protest began on October 12, following the start of an indefinite hunger strike by five students—Ebin Basil, Mohd Jasim Khan, Rehan Haider, Rehan Pawar and Faizan Ali Khan.This is a developing story. More details are awaited.