2 weeks Ago By Ifrah Mufti
NEW DELHI: Following the assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in both Houses of Parliament, Jamia Millia Islamia students and activists, on Friday, marked their dissent to the legislation in a demonstation organised at the university entrance. Meanwhile, Delhi Police along with paramilitary forces conducted flag marches in sensitive areas across city, including Jamia Nagar and the Jamia Millia Islamia, to ensure that law and order is not disturbed in the wake of the passage of the contentious bill. The demonstration at Jamia witnessed students delivering fiery speeches against the legislation, accusing the government of targeting the minority community and its properties.
In an act of defiance, they burned copies of the bill. The protests, led by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and other Leftist student groups, took place near Gate 7 of the university. In a statement, AISA condemned the Waqf bill as “unconstitutional and communal” and criticised the university administration for attempting to suppress student dissent.
Protesters also alleged that campus authorities tried to disrupt their demonstration by instructing guards to blow whistles continuously, a move they termed a ‘desperate attempt to drown out student voices.’ “In a shameful display of authoritarianism, the Jamia administration locked down the campus – shutting all gates and preventing students from entering and exiting. When students questioned this blatant suppression and gathered at the gate, the administration was forced to relent and open the gates,” AISA claimed.
Students announced that they will continue to resist every attempt to silence dissent. “This fight against the communal and unconstitutional bill will go on – louder, stronger, and more united than ever,” a student asserted. Meanwhile, ABVP national secretary Dr Virendra Solanki said, “Various disputes and challenges have arisen concerning the previous Waqf law which will now be addressed fairly through this amendment.
The call for integration of non-Muslims and women in the Waqf council will make it even more impartial.” Meanwhile, cops have deployed drones to monitor several sensitive locations, officials said, adding that patrolling has been intensified in North, North-East, South-East, Shahdara and East Delhi districts..
