Two of the national capital’s prominent institutions of higher education – Jamia Milia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University are grappling with student’s unrest over the screening of a controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The call for screening of “India: The Modi Question”, by mostly left-leaning students has become a cause of much headache for administration of both the institutions.
However, the approach adopted by the two in their restrain orders stand in stark contrast. A cursory reading of the advisories released by the authorities reveal the difference.
The JNU advisory which was released on Tuesday explicitly states that students are barred from organising the screening of the film as it could vitiate the university’s environment. The advisory takes a firm stand in calling the event an “unauthorized activity” implying that the film’s screening would not only be a defiance of the university authority but also of government rules and regulations.
“This is to emphasize that such an unauthorized activity may disturb peace and harmony of the University Campus. The concerned students/individuals are firmly advised to cancel the proposed programme immediately failing which a strict disciplinary action may be initiated as per the University rules. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority,” read the advisory.
The Jamia advisory on the other hand falls short of barring students from screening the film or calling it an illegal activity. The statement issued by the office of the Chief Proctor (Students’ Affairs Section) only asks students to refrain from gathering or meeting in any part of the campus. There is complete silence on the implications of harbouring an intent to screen a film that has been condemned by Indian government authorities at the highest level and led to an outcry by many eminent citizens across the world questioning its dubious source and contentious timing of release.
“In continuation to Office Memorandum bearing F. No Gen-4/RO/ (Estt-T)/2022 dated 29.08.2022 issued by the Registrar Office, this is to reiterate that no meeting/gathering of students shall be allowed in any part of the campus including lawns and gates without prior permission of the competent authority, failing which strict disciplinary action shall be taken against the organizers,” read the Jamia advisory.
Names of office bearers in Jamia
Prof. Najma Akhtar is currently the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia. Dr. Najma A. Heptullah is the Amir-e-Jamia (Chancellor). Prof. Nazim Husain Al-Jafri is the Registrar (Musajjil). Dr. Mohammad Ishaque is Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Languages, Prof. Seemi Farhat Basir, Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Prof. Ravinder Kumar | Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Sara Begum, Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Mini Shaji Thomas, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Hina Zia, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Prof. Eqbal Hussain, Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Sanjay Singh, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Mamoon Nomani, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Prof. (Dr.) Amirul Hasan Ansari, Dean, Faculty of Management Studies, Prof. (Dr.) Ibraheem, Dean, Students’ Welfare. CA Shaikh Safiullah is the finance officer.
Names of office bearers in JNU
Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog – Chancellor; Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit-Vice Chancellor; Prof. Satish Chandra Garkoti -Rector-I; Prof. Dipendra Nath Das, Rector-II; Prof. Sudheer Pratap Singh – Dean of Students, Inter-Hall Administration (IHA), Prof. Ravikesh -Registrar; Dr Suman Kumar -Finance Officer; Prof. Rajnish Kumar Mishra -Chief Proctor; Prof. Ram Sagar – Chief Vigilance Officer; Dr. Anamika Gulati, Dr. Pallavi Somvanshi, Dr. Buddha Singh- Associate Dean of Students Welfare.