Anwarulhaq Baig
New Delhi: Muslim leaders and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) alumni have strongly condemned what they believe is a deliberate attempt by the university’s new Vice Chancellor, Mazhar Asif, to undermine its minority status. They claim that Asif has altered the university’s ordinance, dramatically increasing the number of seats allotted to non-Muslim students, thereby jeopardizing the Muslim quota. The community leaders are urging immediate action, alleging that since taking charge, Asif appears to be covertly working to strip Jamia of its minority character in a bid to prove his loyalty to the BJP-led government.
Since the appointment of Vice Chancellor Mazhar Asif, questions have been raised regarding the minority character of JMI. Allegedly, the Vice Chancellor has begun efforts to alter the university’s minority identity, seemingly to prove loyalty to the government. Various circles claim that these changes aim to modify the minority reservation policy and diminish the university’s key role as a haven for Muslim education.
These developments come at a time when Muslims have successfully secured minority status for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in court, and now JMI’s minority quota is facing a similar threat. Is this part of a covert political agenda, or simply an administrative change? The answer to this question will depend on the future policies of the university.
Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia (AAJMI) Secretary Badre Alam expressed serious concerns over the recent developments at the university. He stated that the association is closely monitoring the situation and, if necessary, will take legal action. Alam also highlighted a new addition to the JMI admission application forms, the inclusion of an EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) category. He suggested this could be a move to undermine the minority quota, as EWS provisions do not apply to minority institutions. Alam confirmed that they are seeking clarifications from the JMI administration on the matter, but have not yet received a satisfactory response.
PhD Scholar and National General Secretary of the Fraternity Movement Lubaib Basheer, stated that they were the first to raise concerns regarding both the PhD admission issues and the introduction of the EWS category. The movement issued a statement condemning these irregularities. Basheer expressed fear that these actions, purportedly taken by the new administration, are aimed at altering the demographic composition of the minority institution.
The Fraternity Movement also asserted that the ongoing violations of the 50% reservation policy for Muslim students in PhD admissions at JMI, along with attempts to undermine the university’s autonomy, are unacceptable. “The admission process for 2025 reveals a deliberate disregard for affirmative action, with multiple departments failing to implement the mandated quotas,” the movement stated.
The Fraternity Movement has alleged that this violation directly contradicts JMI’s 2021 and 2024 Ordinances, which clearly state that seats must remain vacant if the reservation policy is not met. The addendum issued by the Office of the Registrar on October 24, 2024, explicitly reinforces this, stating: “While granting admission to Ph.D. programmes, the Department/Centre/Faculty shall pay due attention to JMI reservation policy and procedure… If suitable candidates are not available as per JMI reservation policy, the seats shall not be filled.”
However, the new addendum issued on November 12, 2024, after the appointment of VC Asif Mazhar, openly alters the JMI reservation policy. It now states: “While granting admission to Ph.D. programmes, the Faculty/Department/Centre may pay due attention to JMI reservation policy and procedure.” This change, the Fraternity Movement argues, significantly undermines the established reservation guidelines.
Lubaib Basheer stated that the removal of the line “If suitable candidates are not available as per JMI reservation policy, the seats shall not be filled” from the new addendum was a deliberate move to fulfil covert aims. He argued that this alteration undermines the integrity of the admission process and sets a dangerous precedent of exclusion, as it disregards the established reservation policies.
The impact of this change in the ordinance is particularly concerning when viewed department-wise, as it has severely affected the demographic composition of PhD admissions at JMI. The breakdown is as follows:
1. AJK Mass Communication & Research Centre: Only 1 out of 4 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
2. Centre for Culture, Media & Governance: Only 1 out of 7 total seats allocated to Muslim students, with the rest given to non-Muslims.
3. Department of History and Culture: Only 2 out of 12 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
4. Department of Psychology: Only 2 out of 10 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
5. Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research: Only 1 out of 9 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
6. Department of Adult and Continuing Education & Extension: None of the 2 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
7. Department of Applied Science & Humanities (Applied Mathematics): None of the 2 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
8. Department of English: Only 12 out of 27 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
9. Department of History and Culture: Only 2 out of 12 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
10. Department of Psychology: Only 2 out of 10 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
11. Department of Social Work: Only 8 out of 18 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
12. Department of Sociology: Only 6 out of 17 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
13. Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management: Only 3 out of 8 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
14. Dr. K.R. Narayanan Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies: None of the 2 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
15. MMAJ Academy of International Studies: Only 6 out of 13 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
16. Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies: Only 5 out of 11 total seats allocated to Muslim students.
Note: Results for many departments are awaited.
Further discussing the issue of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Lubaib Basheer stated that the EWS reservation is not applicable at Jamia Millia Islamia, yet there are attempts to impose it, which he believes undermines the institution’s founding principles and its commitment to addressing the educational marginalization of Muslim students.
The Fraternity Movement alleged that these actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader agenda to strip Jamia Millia Islamia of its autonomy. As a central university with a unique historical role, the movement argued that any interference with its policies constitutes a direct attack on the university’s identity and its commitment to serving the educational needs of the minority community.
When reached out to the JMI PRO, he refused to comment on the matter, stating that he was not authorized to speak. The team also contacted Prof. Quamrul Hassan, JMI’s Chief Media Coordinator, who is authorized to issue press releases. Initially, Prof. Hassan did not provide the official stance of JMI regarding the reported violations of the reservation policy in PhD admissions and the alteration of language in the respective ordinance. However, he later responded, assuring that JMI’s official position on the issue would be shared.
When contacted, Muslim leaders and activists, including top officials from one of the largest Muslim religious organizations, Jamiat-e-Ulama Hind (Mahmood Madani), also declined to provide a stance on the matter. They stated that they were not well-informed about the issue and suggested that it appeared to be unrelated to their concerns.
Several attempts were made to reach Congress leader Meem Afzal by phone, but there was no success as he did not answer the calls. Additionally, when a message was sent to him via WhatsApp inquiring about Congress’s stance on the issue, there was no response.
AIMPLB spokesperson and WPI Secretary General Dr. SQR Ilyas strongly condemned the actions, stating that they are clearly an attempt to tamper with the minority status of the university. Questioning the basis on which the new Vice Chancellor altered his predecessor’s October ordinance, Dr. Ilyas asked why the current VC removed the crucial clause, “If suitable candidates are not available as per JMI reservation policy, the seats shall not be filled.”
He argued that by removing this clause and altering the language, the university administration is enabling an increase in the number of non-minority students, effectively undermining the institution’s minority status. “What is the benefit of being a minority institution if the core quota is eroded?” he asked. “It should be 100% quota for minorities. Instead, you’re reducing the current 50% quota, which is a serious tampering with the minority status.”
Dr. Ilyas stated that such actions must be stopped, warning that if the administration continues down this path, legal action will be taken against them in court.
Dr. SQR Ilyas emphasized that this issue should not be dismissed as minor, demanding that the community’s leadership take strong notice of it. He stated that the JMI administration has no right to alter reserved seats into unreserved ones and that this action must be strongly condemned. He called for protests against such attempts, stressing that if JMI students are being punished for protesting, as has been happening recently, the community’s top leadership must come out in large-scale protest.
Dr. Ilyas also pointed out that attempts to undermine Muslim educational institutions have been increasing since the BJP came to power, and he criticized the community leadership for failing to effectively address these issues. He urged that the leadership must play a more active role in defending the rights of the community and its institutions.
When asked about the restrictions on student unions and the lack of student unions in two prominent Muslim institutions, AMU and JMI, Dr. SQR Ilyas called the situation “undemocratic and wrong.” He explained that student unions are crucial for advocating students’ voices and rights on campuses and for expressing solidarity when students face injustice. He added that the primary objective of student unions is to prepare students for national electoral politics and to generate future leadership for the country.
Dr. Ilyas highlighted the positive role student unions, especially JNUSU, play in shaping the national narrative and raising core issues. He criticized the current approach of university administrations, which he argued seeks to suppress student voices and treat them like “robotic machines” by curbing their freedom of expression on campuses.
He acknowledged that there are multiple factors behind the absence of student unions, particularly in AMU and JMI. He suggested that the recent alterations to the ordinance language and the increased admissions for non-minority students could be part of an attempt to change the demographic makeup of these institutions.
Dr. Ilyas strongly condemned JMI’s attitude towards student protests and gatherings, including the imposition of fines up to ₹50,000 on students for activities like wall writing and pasting posters. He pointed out that many students have recently been suspended or faced severe punishment for such actions. Calling these curbs “illegal and undemocratic,” Dr. Ilyas argued that they should be challenged in court.
Speaking about the new VC’s controversial attempts to appease political bosses, Dr. SQR Ilyas commented that the current VCs at both JMI and AMU have been appointed with the intention to harm these prestigious Muslim institutions. He questioned why the BJP-led government chose to bring in the new VC, despite his lack of an outstanding academic record or a history of academic brilliance, especially when there are many highly qualified academic personalities. Dr. Ilyas argued that the new VC’s primary qualification is his loyalty to the BJP, and that the government can manipulate decisions through him at JMI. He added that a similar situation exists at AMU, where the BJP and the RSS have gained full control over administrative affairs and matters at the institution.
Speaking to Indiatomorrow.net, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s (JIH) Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB) Secretary Syed Tanveer Ahmed has also criticized the recent PhD admission procedures at JMI, stating that they are in violation of the university’s bylaws and go against the core spirit and objectives of the institution. He described the new procedures as detrimental to the university’s minority status.
Referring to allegations regarding the new VC’s close ties with the current ruling party and affiliated organizations, Syed Tanveer Ahmed cautioned the university authorities not to make decisions based on political interests. He emphasized that the university should focus on supporting minority students and ensuring a fair process, especially given that the representation of minority students in higher education is less than 5%, which is alarmingly low, particularly when it comes to PhD enrolments.
Renowned Supreme Court lawyer and community leader Advocate ZK Faizan strongly condemned the new VCs attempts to tamper with the minority reservation at JMI, calling the administration’s actions utterly wrong and illegal. He emphasized that the status quo of the 50% minority quota at JMI must be maintained, and he demanded that the new VC enforce the minority quota in both spirit and letter.
Adv.Faizan pointed out that, within a very short period of time, the new VC has initiated a wrong attempt against minority students. He alleged that such actions are motivated by a desire to appease the ruling government, with the aim of signalling loyalty by attempting to dilute and undermine minority institutions. Faizan claimed that these actions are part of a strategy to gain favour with the government, so that they can be rewarded with high-ranking positions in the future.
He urged Muslim leaders, including Ulama and political figures, to raise their voices for JMI and AMU, stressing that the Muslim leadership must confront and fight for the preservation of both institutions properly. Adv,Faizan expressed frustration with the current Muslim leadership, stating that they have not been vocal enough, especially since the BJP came to power in 2014.
Advocate Faizan also appealed to the staff and students of both universities to continue their fight and protests for their rights, including the restoration of student unions, despite the fear of repercussions from the administration, as evidenced by the recent treatment of protesting students at JMI. He recalled the past struggles of prominent figures like Azam Khan, Dr.Basir Ahmed Khan, Arif Mohammad Khan, and Prof.Akhtarul Wase and he himself, who faced the wrath of the administration during their time as AMU students and even went to jail for their demands.
Faizan drew parallels between the past struggles and the current situation, stating that students at both JMI and AMU must continue to raise their voices, as their relentless struggle will ultimately lead to success. He criticized the current lack of strong opposition, stressing the need for both community leadership and student bodies to apply pressure, both in the streets through protests and in the courts.
He cautioned that, without strong protests and agitations on the ground, even the courts may not rule in favour of the community, citing examples such as the Sabarimala and Jallikattu cases. Advocate Faizan emphasized that a unified and vocal opposition from the community is essential for ensuring justice and preserving the integrity of institutions like JMI and AMU.
MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today also reacted on his X account, stating, “Jamia reserved 50% of its PhD slots for Muslims as a minority institution, but the government has breached this rule. It was aimed at boosting Muslim higher education, which saw a decline of nearly 1.8 lakh students in 2020-21. Muslims make up 14% of India’s population, yet only 4.5% of PhD enrolments are Muslim. The Modi government also axed the Maulana Azad Fellowship, a scholarship for minority PhD students, clearly aiming to keep Muslims educationally, economically, socially, and politically disadvantaged.”
Students Islamic Organization of India (SIO) PR Secretary Thashreef KP also expressed his concerns, stating that the assault on Muslim universities goes beyond just student politics. He pointed out that these campuses are increasingly being militarized and transformed into sites for state-sponsored political propaganda. As a result, the academic integrity of these universities is being deliberately undermined. Thashreef emphasized that the issue is no longer just about academic freedom but a struggle for the very survival of these institutions. He further criticized the ongoing violations in Muslim students’ PhD admissions, calling it another attempt by the central government to reduce the number of students from marginalized communities in these universities.