Despite restrictions and heavy police presence, over a hundred students gathered to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the violent crackdown on Jamia students during the CAA protests, demanding accountability and justice.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI- Over a hundred students from various groups at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) gathered to mark the fifth anniversary of the brutal police action that took place on 15 December in 2019. The protest, held both inside the campus and outside the university’s main gate, was a show of resilience against the heavy-handed tactics used by the police during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests five years ago.
Despite the restrictions placed on the campus and the arbitrary closure of the university canteen and library by the authorities, the students voiced their anger and grief over the tragic events.
The violent crackdown on December 15, 2019, remains a dark chapter in the history of JMI. The police, in a brutal show of force, stormed the campus during a peaceful protest against the CAA, injuring several students and leaving an indelible mark on the university.
This year, in an attempt to curtail any remembrance of the incident, the university administration issued a circular on December 14, 2024, stating that the canteens and libraries inside the campus would remain closed on December 15 for “maintenance work.” The directive also affected other areas of the university, including Gate No. 7, which was the site of significant police action in 2019. The closure was widely seen as an effort to suppress any protest activities planned by the student bodies.
In response, student organizations gathered outside the university gates, defying the imposed restrictions and speaking out about the lack of accountability for the police’s actions. “We are here to remember the brutality of 2019, a day that scarred us all. The administration and the police have tried to silence us, but we will never forget what happened,” said Anurag, a member of the SFI JMI Secretariat, speaking from outside Gate No. 7.
The protest was not just a call for remembrance but a demand for justice, as the perpetrators of the police assault have yet to be held accountable. Students expressed their frustration over the lack of legal recourse and their fear that the state was using its power to suppress any dissenting voices. “We will not be silenced, no matter how hard they try. We are fighting for the truth to come out,” added Anurag.
On social media, several former students of JMI shared their grief and memories of the tragic event. Afroz Alam Sahil, a former student of Jamia and an award-winning journalist, penned a poignant poem titled This Evening, reflecting on the horrors of that day:
“The sunlight suddenly began to fade,
And in this darkness, fear stepped into the walls and gates of Jamia.
On the pages of the library books, a silent blood was spilled.
That day, in police uniforms, some beasts landed on Jamia’s soil.”
His poem captures the intense emotion felt by the students during the violent raid, describing the police action as a “heinous attack” that will never be forgotten. “The blood of Jamia has not dried. This red stain still shines, still trembles. The echoes of screams are still heard,” Sahil wrote. His words resonated with many students, reminding them of the dark day when their peaceful protest was met with police brutality.
Despite facing opposition from the administration and a heightened police presence, students continued to rally for justice. At Gate No. 7, where the police had forcibly removed students in 2019, riot control vehicles and paramilitary forces stood guard, preventing any entry to the campus. Students, however, remained determined to remember and demand accountability.
“We were informed this morning that the campus will remain closed for maintenance work. But this is just another attempt to deny us the right to remember and stand up for what we believe in,” said one student protestor, who preferred to remain anonymous. “We are here to speak out for the rights of all students who were attacked that day, and for those whose voices were silenced by force.”
The events of December 15, 2019, and the ongoing fight for justice have left an indelible mark on the university and its students. The incident not only exposed the extent of police brutality but also highlighted the lengths to which the state would go to suppress dissent. The police’s actions that day were widely condemned by human rights organizations and political leaders, who demanded accountability for the use of excessive force against students.
As the protest unfolded, local politicians and activists also expressed their solidarity with the Jamia students. Former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar tweeted, “The Jamia incident of 2019 will always remind us that no matter the brutality we face, the fight for justice must continue. The students’ struggle for justice is a struggle for the soul of this nation.”
Meanwhile, human rights activist Arundhati Roy said, “It is tragic that five years on, Jamia students are still fighting for accountability. What happened on December 15, 2019, was an act of terror, and no amount of time will ever erase the injustice faced by these brave students.”
The protest at Jamia continues to draw attention to the larger issue of police brutality and the suppression of student voices in India. As the fight for justice endures, the legacy of the 2019 police crackdown will remain a defining moment in the struggle for democracy and human rights in India.
However, five years later, the students of JMI continue to fight for justice, determined to ensure that the sacrifice of their fellow students is not forgotten. Their struggle has inspired many others across the country to raise their voices against authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic rights.
As Jamia Millia Islamia students continue their fight for justice and remembrance, the events of December 15, 2019, remain a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, no matter the cost. Despite the obstacles they face, the students of JMI have made it clear that their voices will not be silenced. The demand for accountability and justice is as strong as ever, and they are determined to see it through, no matter the challenges that lie ahead.
“Remember Jamia, stand for accountability,” the protestors chanted, their voices united in their unwavering call for justice.