New Delhi: A recent report has raised serious allegations of religious harassment and discrimination against non-Muslim students and staff at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi. According to the findings of a fact-finding team from the NGO Call For Justice, Hindu students at the university were reportedly threatened with rape and failure in exams for resisting attempts to convert to Islam.
The report, which documents multiple incidents of coercion and intimidation, claims that non-Muslim students, particularly Hindus, were forced to chant the Kalma (Islamic declaration of faith) and were subjected to pressure to convert. Hindu professors and staff were allegedly threatened with acid attacks and rape for refusing to convert, further raising concerns about religious intolerance at the institution.
In one disturbing incident, an assistant controller of examinations, a non-Muslim, was publicly ridiculed by staff for holding a senior administrative position, according to an India Today report. Tribal students and faculty also faced systemic discrimination, with some tribal students choosing to leave the university due to the hostile environment.
The university administration has strongly condemned the allegations, affirming its commitment to inclusivity and non-discrimination. A spokesperson for the university stated that while the previous administration may have mishandled such incidents, the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Mazhar Asif, is determined to create an equitable and safe environment for all students.
The university has promised to take strict action if concrete evidence of discrimination or harassment comes forward. “If anyone comes forward with clear evidence, we will take strict action. We remain sensitive to grievances and are committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive campus for all,” the spokesperson said.
While the university administration has vowed to address the issue, the allegations have drawn widespread attention and raised concerns about the treatment of non-Muslim students in the university’s academic and social environment.