JMI Diwali Clash: What Really Happened at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Diwali Celebration?
JMI Diwali Clash: A peaceful celebration at Jamia Millia Islamia turns chaotic as outsiders disrupt Diwali festivities, sparking student protests and political tension. Get the full story behind the allegations, police investigation, and shocking events that unfolded. Read now to know what happened at JMI’s Deepotsav!
On October 22, 2024, a Diwali celebration at Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) turned into a chaotic scene. The annual festival, called Deepotsav, was disrupted by a clash between different student groups. What started as a peaceful celebration ended with accusations, vandalism, and protests. The JMI administration filed a police complaint, stating that “outsiders” were responsible.
Both the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) shared different versions of what happened.
JMI Diwali Clash: Key Details
- Date: October 22, 2024
- Event: Diwali celebration, known as Deepotsav
- Clash: Physical and verbal conflict during the festival
- Groups Involved: ABVP, AISA, and alleged “outsiders”
- Complaint: Filed by JMI against unknown individuals
JMI Diwali Clash: What Happened?
JMI’s Deepotsav celebration started peacefully, but things changed quickly. According to JMI, unknown individuals entered the campus and disrupted the event. Witnesses say these people damaged the rangoli (a traditional Diwali art piece). They allegedly erased parts of it by stepping on it. This upset the students and led to arguments, which then turned physical.
JMI Diwali Clash: ABVP’s Side of the Story
ABVP, a right-wing student group, accused “anti-social elements” of causing the clash. According to ABVP’s Jamia president, Abhishek Shrivastava, the outsiders broke the festival lamps and destroyed the rangoli. He also claimed these outsiders harassed students and made inappropriate comments toward female students.
ABVP’s key points:
- Outsiders disrupted the celebration on purpose.
- Female students were harassed.
- The university administration failed to intervene.
- ABVP demands strict action against those responsible.
JMI Diwali Clash: AISA’s Side of the Story
AISA, a left-wing student group, has a different story. They claim that ABVP members, including Bhanu Pratap Singh, a candidate for the Delhi University Students’ Union, entered the campus during the celebration. AISA says ABVP members set off firecrackers, even though there was a ban on them. They also claim that the ABVP members acted provocatively towards Muslim students, causing tensions to rise.
AISA’s key points:
- ABVP members broke the firecracker ban.
- Their behaviour was directed at Muslim students.
- Students asked ABVP members to leave campus after the disturbance.
JMI Diwali Clash: University’s Response
After the clash, Jamia Millia Islamia filed a police complaint. They stated that “outsiders” were behind the chaos. The university did not specifically blame any group but confirmed that these individuals were not students at JMI. The administration also promised to increase security on campus to prevent such incidents in the future.
JMI Diwali Clash: Political Tensions Rise
The situation became even more tense when students protested after the clash. During the protests, some students chanted political slogans, including “Palestine Zindabad.” Both ABVP and AISA blamed each other for turning a cultural event into a political issue.
The clash at JMI has received national attention. Both ABVP and AISA are pushing their own stories and accusing each other of being responsible.
JMI Diwali Clash: Investigation and Campus Security
After the incident, JMI increased campus security. Police are now investigating to find out who was involved. Both ABVP and AISA are demanding accountability but from different perspectives. ABVP wants action against those who damaged the rangoli and lamps, while AISA seeks clarity on ABVP’s role in the disturbance.
The investigation aims to identify any outsiders involved in the vandalism and violence. JMI has assured students that they will take action based on the results of the investigation.
New Vice Chancellor Appointed
In the middle of all this, JMI announced a new Vice Chancellor. The Ministry of Education appointed Prof. Mazhar Asif as the new head of Jamia Millia Islamia. Prof. Asif, a professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University’s School of Languages, is now responsible for restoring peace on campus.
Conclusion
The JMI Diwali clash has left the campus in a tense state. Both ABVP and AISA blame each other for the violence. Meanwhile, the university administration maintains that the disturbance was caused by outsiders. As the police investigate, the students and faculty are hoping for clarity and calm.
Key Takeaways:
- The clash at JMI’s Diwali celebration has led to a blame game.
- Both groups accuse each other of causing the disruption.
- JMI filed a police complaint and promised to increase campus security.
- Prof. Mazhar Asif has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor to help manage tensions.
This clash highlights how quickly cultural events can turn political. With investigations underway, the university community hopes for answers and a peaceful campus.