Tensions flared at Jamia Millia Islamia as a student protest over unsatisfactory mess food entered its third day, with both sides leveling serious allegations against each other. The All India Students’ Association (AISA) accused an assistant proctor of assaulting demonstrators, while university officials claimed students broke gates and manhandled security staff.

  • Protest began September 10 over insects and foreign objects in food
  • AISA alleges assault occurred around 1 a.m. on September 11
  • University says most demands were accepted on first day

What Sparked the Unrest

It started with the meals. Students at the Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel had reached their breaking point after repeatedly finding insects and foreign objects in their mess food. By Thursday, September 10, 2026, their frustration boiled over into organized protest. They demanded an immediate change of the mess vendor, recruitment of female staff, and a written assurance against disciplinary action for participants.

Nighttime Escalation and Allegations

Things turned tense in the early hours of Friday. AISA claims Assistant Proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik manhandled and assaulted a student near the Dean of Students’ Welfare office after electricity was switched off around 1 a.m. The student body reported several minor injuries during the commotion. Students continued their sit-in near Centenary Gate through the power outage, alleging the university barricaded Gate No. 13 with three layers to isolate them.

“Students broke two gates of the girls’ hostel, putting everyone’s security at risk, and manhandled members of the proctorial team,” a Jamia spokesperson stated.

University’s Firm Rebuttal

The administration firmly rejected the assault claims, countering that it was the students who escalated the situation. Officials emphasized that most demands had been accepted on the first day of protests. They also clarified that the power outage was a routine energy-saving measure, unrelated to the demonstration, and noted the protest was not occurring at the designated site near Gate No. 18.