INDIA

‘Raised Hindutva slogans to harass women’: Communal clashes break out during Diwali celebrations at Jamia Millia Islamia

By News Desk

October 23, 2024

A communal clash erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia during Diwali celebrations on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

According to reports, tensions flared when the Rashtriya Kala Manch, an ABVP-affiliated outfit, allegedly raised communal slogans and heckled Muslim students.

Outsiders, including senior leaders from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and ABVP, were reportedly involved in the incident.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) accused these individuals of harassing female Muslim students and chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in their presence.

The SFI alleged that when university students protested this behavior, violence broke out, leading to police intervention.

The police used lathicharge to disperse the crowd, but students claimed that the force was used on those objecting to the presence of outsiders rather than on the alleged instigators.

Purported videos circulating on social media showed students chanting communal slogans, further intensifying the situation.

The JMI Alumni Association for Minorities condemned the violence, labeling it part of a broader attempt to create a divisive environment on campus.

They demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against the perpetrators.

Despite the unrest, the police reported that no formal complaints had been filed.

Officers were stationed around the campus to prevent further escalation.