In a shocking incident, few girl students of renowned Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) were attacked by goons amid a protest held against HoD, accused of alleged sexual harassment. The incident took place on Thursday, February 7.
When Newsd approached the sources at Jamia University, it was found that the students of Applied Art from the Faculty of Fine Arts had been holding a peaceful protest alleging that Hafeez Ahmed, Head of Department (HoD), had sexually and mentally harassed several students. Students accused Hafeez of sending indecent messages to girl students, favouring few students with additional marks while granting unfair to the rest.
Students had complained to the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) and concerned officials, including the ICC and the anti-discrimination cell of JMI six months ago but till day the administration had not initiated any action against Ahmed. The protesting students were demanding the immediate suspension of the HoD, a safe campus and open marking system like other departments.
On the evening of January 7, while the students were on their continued protest, a group of goons allegedly started misbehaving with the protesters. Amid the ruckus, the the goons misbehaved with students and even attacked girls.
Wajiha Haider, a student associated with Jamia University while speaking to Newsd claimed that “goons sent by HoD Hafeez Ahmed groped one girl while brutally thrashed two other girl protesters.”
She continued telling that a youth named Wasif along with few others barged in college, manhandled girl protesters, pulled hair violently even after their repeated resistance. “They were the students who are marked free attendance and granted marks even when they do not submit assignments.”
One of the students Deepika Bhat was manhandled and injured. Post incident, she was been hospitalised at the Holy Family hospital, New Friends Colony. Two other victims, named Geetanjali Jha and Akansha Kaushik, were beaten up “by the goons of Hafeez Ahmed.”
Students are currently protesting outside the VC’s office demanding the resignation of the HOD Hafeez Ahmad along with an FIR to be lodged by the administration against him.
