New Delhi: Hundreds of students and alumni gathered at Jamia Millia Islamia Sunday as the agitation demanding the restoration of students’ union elections entered its 14th day. The demonstration continued despite the university’s decision Saturday to shift classes online and close campus gates and libraries until further notice.
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The university vice-chancellor, along with some other university members, visited the protest site around noon but left without engaging with the demonstrators, according to some students. Police also added a section related to defacement after “objectionable” slogans and graffiti appeared on the university walls, sources confirmed. The graffiti included messages, such as “Free Kashmir” and “Free Sharjeel Imam”, along with slogans targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
With police personnel deployed in large numbers and barricades erected outside the university, students reportedly made their way through different entrances to reach the protest site near Gate No. Demonstrators raised slogans, displayed placards and demanded that the gates be reopened to allow others to join the protest. Two MPs and other individuals not associated with Jamia allegedly entered the campus, triggering chaos and tension on the university premises. Police intervened and some of those involved were detained. No one was named as a suspect in the FIR. One person was detained Sunday in connection with the alleged trespassing. Protesters have denied responsibility for the graffiti. Police are scanning CCTV footage from the university campus and surrounding areas to identify those allegedly involved in the defacement. Investigators are examining the footage and other evidence to establish the sequence of events and ascertain who was responsible. The investigation into the alleged trespassing and defacement is ongoing. Security remained heightened outside the university campus as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident and maintain law and order amid the prevailing tension.
Delhi Police , meanwhile, registered a case on a complaint from the university administration after several individuals allegedly entered the campus without authorisation on Friday.