Two students from Jammu Kashmir have been expelled from the University hostel at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, following the loss of India with Australia in the final match of Men’s World Cup 2023.
A group of Kashmiri students spoke to The Kashmiriyat and said that some firecrackers were heard in the Jauhar hall following India’s loss to the world cup final game.
The firecrackers triggered anger among a group of students who were upset over India’s loss at the hands of Australia by seven wickets in the final at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Before the loss, a verbal brawl had erupted between two groups of students, one supporting the Indian team and the other supporting Australia, however, the timely intervention of some senior students pacified the situation, they told The Kashmiriyat.
Firecrackers are not new to the university, there have been multiple occasions when students have burst crackers inside the campus, but one fails to understand, why were Kashmiri students singled out this time, the students questioned.
They said that the duo has been asked to vacate the hostel within three days, without them even being involved in the incident, adding, “some students had complained to the university administration and posted tweets on social media regarding the incident.”
“Few days ago, I made a tweet regarding bursting of firecrackers in JMI , after Indian cricket team’s defeat in world cup. Even though I deleted it immediately hut someone took a screenshot of it and it’s gone viral. Let me make it clear, it was few Kashmiri Students, not all,” read a tweet posted by one University student.
Few days ago I made a tweet regarding bursting of firecrackers in JMI , after Indian cricket team's defeat in world cup. Even though I deleted it immediately hut someone took a screenshot of it and it's gone viral. Let me make it clear, it was few Kashmiri Students, not all.
— Adnan Ansari (@AdnanNoobGamer) November 24, 2023
Following these complaints, a disciplinary committee found two students involved in the incident, who are both residents of Jammu Kashmir.
The Kashmiriyat has concealed the names of expelled students to protect them from any sort of harassment.
Earlier this year, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said it has notified a complete ban on firecrackers across the Capital till January 1, 2024. The ban includes the manufacturing, storage, bursting, and sale of all types of crackers, including green crackers, however, in its order, the university officials made no mention of the ban.
In a hostel order, of which a copy is available with The Kashmiriyat, the Office of Provost MMA Jauhar Hall of Boys’ Residence Jamia Millia Islamia, found the boys involved in “bursting” crackers after India lost the final match.
The order read ,”The Discipline Committee of MMA Jauhar Hall of Bo, Residence, Jana Millia Islamia in its meeting held on 22. November 2023 regarding the rnajor violation of Hostel By-laws by the two Residents of FRK Hostel on the night of 1.9.’ November 2023 for indulging in bursting fire cracker in the common room of the Hostel due to which a tense situation arose resulting in verbal clashes between students group.”
In view of the above, It has been decided by the Discipline Committee of MMA Jauhar Hall of Boys’ Residence that above two residents of FRK Hostel are expelled from the hostel on the facts that these two residents have violated the law, which is of very serious in nature, therefore, their admission to hostel is cancelled, the Provost ordered
The order dated 24 November further read that the Hostel allotment of these students’ stands cancelled and they will have to vacate the hostel within three (03) days.
All India Students Association has condemned the explusion of two students from Jamia Millia Islamia hostel due to an accusation of bursting crackers “without substantial evidence.”
This action is seen as discriminatory and biased against Kashmiri students, said AISA.
“The reasons provided for their termination lack clarity and fairness, highlighting selective enforcement, inconsistent regulations, and a lack of evidence,” an AISA spokesperson told The Kashmiriyat.
The spokesperson said that the incident fuels hostility towards the Kashmiri community and poses threats to their safety in both hostel and academic environments.
AISA has demanded the immediate re-allotment of hostel rooms to the students and the withdrawal of show cause notices against them, condemning the injustice, discrimination, and selective targeting of Kashmiri students.