A fact-finding committee investigating allegations of religious discrimination and forced conversions at Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) has accused 16 faculty members of attempting to intimidate and convert non-Muslim students to Islam. The committee’s findings are based on testimonies from 27 current faculty members, non-teaching staff, PhD scholars, students, and seven former students.
The depositions, while summarized, paint a troubling picture of the alleged coercion faced by non-Muslim members of the university community. The full, unedited statements reportedly present even graver details.
Key Allegations from Witness Statements
- CW1: A female faculty member alleged that her promotion to Associate Professor was blocked because she refused to convert to Islam.
- CW2: An Assistant Controller of Examinations, who is Hindu, claimed he was denied basic amenities and support at work because he was labeled a “kafir.”
- CW3: Several faculty members, identified by initials, allegedly pressured a non-Muslim colleague to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim. One professor reportedly threatened to throw acid on her face if she did not comply. She claims she was subsequently denied a promotion and had to seek legal recourse through the High Court, where she was granted relief.
- CW4: An Assistant Professor who joined JMI two months prior claimed that a senior colleague handed her a copy of the Quran and initiated regular discussions on Islam.
- CW5 & CW6: Both reported being pressured to read Islamic religious texts, with their professional advancements stalled when they resisted.
- CW11: A clerical staff member who joined JMI in 2007 said that within six months, she was bullied by Muslim colleagues to convert to Islam, as they argued that Scheduled Castes are not respected in Hindu society.
- CW13: Another staff member stated that after joining JMI, she was routinely invited to offer Namaz, discouraged from saying “Namaste,” and pressured to say “Salaam Aleikum” instead. She also claimed that colleagues often criticized Hindu customs and named two female students who allegedly converted to Islam under duress.
- CW16: A PhD student seeking a fellowship faced persistent religious taunts from both Muslim students and professors.
- CW17: A Muslim JMI employee alleged that there is a nexus between certain JMI professors and organizations like the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), Campus Front of India, Popular Front of India (PFI), and Tablighi Jamaat, all allegedly working to convert non-Muslims on campus.
- CW19: A student recounted that Muslim peers frequently pressured non-Muslim students to read the Quran and were actively prevented from celebrating Hindu festivals on campus.
Institutional Response and Potential Legal Action
These revelations are set to trigger a significant controversy surrounding JMI, which has long been regarded as a premier educational institution in the country. The university administration has yet to release an official statement addressing the committee’s findings.
The allegations raise serious questions about religious freedom and workplace discrimination within academic institutions. Legal experts suggest that if proven, these actions could lead to severe legal repercussions for those involved, potentially under laws related to religious harassment and discrimination.
The committee has recommended further investigation into the alleged activities of the implicated faculty members and urged authorities to take appropriate action to safeguard the rights of students and staff within the university.
This report has sparked widespread concern, and calls for accountability are growing among alumni and civil society groups. Further developments are anticipated as authorities review the committee’s findings and decide on the next course of action.
The fact-finding committee that inquired into “Discrimination” and “Conversion” of Non-Muslims to Islam in Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi has named 16 faculty members as having tried to intimidate and convert non-Muslim students.
Here’s a sample of the depositions made… pic.twitter.com/9FNus8Q2q7
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) November 15, 2024
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