New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia, a leading Muslim university in India, is facing allegations that its new Vice Chancellor is eroding the institution’s Muslim character following directives from the Bharatiya Janata Party government.
According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the controversy is rooted in recent alterations to Jamia Millia Islamia’s PhD admission policy. Critics assert that these changes favor non-Muslim students at the expense of Muslim candidates, sparking concerns about the university’s commitment to its foundational mission.
Professor Mazhar Asif, who took office in October 2024, has been accused of aligning the university’s policies with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Students and activists claim that the modifications in the reservation policy are part of an overarching strategy to dilute the institution’s Muslim identity. The university was originally established to cater to the educational needs of Muslims in India, and these developments have raised alarms among its community and stakeholders.