A student agitation that had been underway for 13 days inside the Jamia Millia Islamia campus in Delhi has suddenly taken an intense controversial turn. While students were on a hunger strike demanding the restoration of the student union elections, provocative slogans emerged painted across campus walls. The graffiti demanded the release of Sharjeel Imam and called to free Kashmir, alongside inflammatory slogans directed against the RSS and ABVP. The appearance of these provocative messages has heightened tensions across the university grounds. While agitating students contend that the vandalism is the handiwork of outsiders, questions are mounting over how any outsider could access the premises on such a wide scale to write provocative statements aimed at inciting social friction.
Union Minister Questions Opposition Silence
The discovery of the graffiti has quickly snowballed into a major political faceoff, with the BJP launching a sharp offensive against opposition parties over their silence. Reacting strongly to the developments, Union Minister Giriraj Singh questioned why prominent opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, the Cockroach Party, and Akhilesh Yadav have remained completely quiet regarding the slogans written inside the university. Raising strong objections against anti-national sentiments, the Union Minister questioned what force had emerged that sought to divide the country.
Giriraj Singh stated,
"Now the people of the country and patriots will have to think that such people must be given a fitting reply."Pointing to the geography of the university, he reminded everyone that this is the same area where the Shaheen Bagh protests had taken place. He stressed that these slogans reflect a disruptive mindset and urged citizens to take a resolute stand against those trying to create chaos across the country. His remarks have intensified the debate across the political spectrum.
University Administration Warns of Expulsions
The management of Jamia Millia Islamia has adopted an uncompromising stance regarding the provocative graffiti on campus walls. The university authorities announced that an investigation is underway and zero tolerance will be observed. According to the administration, if any university student is found involved in painting the contentious slogans, rigorous disciplinary action will be initiated immediately, including outright expulsion from the institution. Furthermore, the authorities asserted that if outside elements are found to have orchestrated this act to tarnish the institution's reputation, strict legal action will follow against the culprits.
External Elements Accused of Fueling Unrest
The university administration has also directly accused outside actors and political entities of interfering with the ongoing agitation. Officials stated that certain external elements and political parties are actively instigating the student demonstration, which has prevented an amicable resolution to the dispute. The administration noted that while the protesting students are inclined to end their hunger strike, external political leaders are actively discouraging them from doing so, thereby hindering efforts to restore normalcy and peace on campus.
