A fact-finding committee led by Justice (Retd.) SN Dhingra and former Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava released their report on 14 November 2024, detailing allegations of discrimination against non-Muslims and instances of forced conversions at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), a minority institution in Delhi. The investigation was initiated by “Call for Justice,” an NGO, after receiving multiple complaints of harassment and religious bias within the university.
The report highlights forced conversions and systemic discrimination against non-Muslim students and faculty members in Jamia Millia Islamia. Witnesses testified that non-Muslim staff and students routinely faced harassment, unequal treatment, and derogatory remarks.
Key Findings
Harassment of Non-Muslim Faculty
An assistant professor reported consistent mistreatment by Muslim colleagues. She cited instances of a Muslim clerk disparaging her Ph.D. thesis, claiming it was valueless because she was a non-Muslim.
A non-Muslim faculty member from the SC community faced discrimination in the allocation of office facilities. He was denied basic amenities like a cabin and furniture, which were promptly provided to Muslim colleagues. When promoted to Assistant Controller of Examinations, Muslim staffers openly questioned how a “high-class” office could be given to a “Kafir.”
Discrimination Against Non-Muslim Students
The report documents harassment of tribal students, many of whom left the university due to religious discrimination.
A professor allegedly announced in class that students who did not follow Islam would not be allowed to complete their M.Ed. The professor reportedly cited examples of individuals who converted to Islam and subsequently secured favourable positions at the university.
Forced Conversions
Testimonies revealed that some Muslim staff and faculty at Jamia Millia Islamia exerted pressure on non-Muslim students and colleagues to convert to Islam.
Fact-finding committee releases the report on discrimination of non-Muslims and conversion of Non-Muslims to Islam in Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi
On Thursday a fact-finding report on the allegation of discrimination of non-muslims and conversion of non-muslims to… pic.twitter.com/lUIR7gtCLi
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 14, 2024
Background Of The Inquiry
The committee was formed following protests at Jantar Mantar on 4 August 2024, led by members of the Scheduled Caste and Balmiki Samaj, who voiced concerns about the harassment faced by Ram Niwas, a non-Muslim employee at JMI. Preliminary investigations prompted the NGO to constitute a fact-finding panel to delve deeper into these allegations.
The report was presented to Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, the Ministry of Education, and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on 14 November 2024.
(With inputs from Organiser)
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