Clash disrupts Diwali festivities at Jamia Millia
A violent confrontation broke out at the Diwali celebrations at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) here on Tuesday night, leading to widespread condemnation from various student organisations. The incident occurred during a Diwali event organised by the Rashtriya Kala Manch (RKM), linked to the RSS-backed ABVP.
According to reports, the altercation began around 8 pm when a group of students allegedly disrupted the festivities. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show students raising communal slogans on the campus. University security intervened to restore order, and police were subsequently stationed outside the university as a precautionary measure.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) criticised the university administration for allowing the event to proceed. “The Proctor granted permission to the RKM and Yuva, organisations affiliated to the RSS, while repeatedly denying similar requests of other student groups,” an AISA spokesperson said. “During the event, ABVP members, including DUSU candidate Bhanu Pratap Singh, engaged in unruly behaviour and instigated tension on campus.”
AISA representatives further alleged the ABVP attempted to shift blame onto Muslim students, claiming they were against the celebration of Diwali. “The issue was not with the festival itself but with the disruptive behaviour of ABVP members,” they added. The ABVP asserted, “Is it a crime to celebrate Diwali or chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ in a central university of India?”
