Jamia Students Protest Against Waqf Bill 2025 Amid Nationwide Debate on Governance Reforms

On Friday, students from Jamia Millia Islamia staged a protest in front of the university opposing the recently passed Waqf Bill 2025, which has cleared both Houses of Parliament.

The Lok Sabha passed the bill on Thursday, followed by its passage in the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after extensive debates.

The bill aims to introduce improved governance and transparency in the administration of Waqf properties, ensure protection of heritage sites, and strengthen cooperation between Waqf boards and local bodies.

Protest Led by AISA and Other Student Groups

The protest was led by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) along with other student collectives. The demonstration took place near Gate 7 of the university campus.

In a statement, AISA described the Waqf Bill as both “unconstitutional and communal,” accusing the university of attempting to stifle student dissent.

The student group condemned the administration for shutting down all campus gates, preventing students from entering or leaving.

The AISA statement read, “In a display of authoritarianism, the Jamia administration locked down the campus, shutting all gates and preventing students from both entering and exiting. When students rightfully questioned this blatant suppression and gathered in numbers at the gate, the administration was forced to relent and open the gates under pressure.”

Acts of Defiance Marked the Demonstration

During the protest, students gave speeches against the bill and openly criticized the government for allegedly targeting Waqf properties. As part of their demonstration, students burned copies of the Waqf Bill in protest.

According to the students, university authorities attempted to interrupt their protest by instructing security personnel to blow whistles continuously—a move that protesters called a “desperate attempt to drown out student voices.”

Despite such actions, the students remained determined. AISA declared, “This fight against the communal and unconstitutional bill will go on — louder, stronger and more united than ever.”

Protest Remained Peaceful; Police Presence Noted

Police were stationed at the protest site to ensure law and order. However, no violent incidents were reported. The campus echoed with slogans as students assembled in large numbers demanding withdrawal of the bill.

Jamia students carried placards with slogans such as “Revoke Waqf Amendment Bill,” “Waqf Bill is discriminate and unjust,” and “Waqf is our amanat — not for sale.”

AISA Calls the Bill a Threat to Muslim Identity

In their statement, AISA criticized the Waqf Bill as an assault on the cultural and religious rights of Indian Muslims.

The group asserted, “This is not just a bill, it is a targeted assault on the Muslim identity and the history of the country.” The students said the bill threatened properties historically maintained for purposes of worship, education, and social services.

The statement further added, “The Waqf properties built and maintained for centuries as places of worship, for education and social support are now being taken away under the guise of management reform. This bill is both unconstitutional and communal.”

Students Decry Lockdown of Campus During Protest

Students also claimed that all university gates were locked when the protest began. While the demonstration remained peaceful, many students expressed that they felt trapped within their own campus spaces.

They strongly opposed the actions of the university administration, which they believed were intended to discourage open expression.

The AISA statement accused the administration of using undignified tactics, saying, “It was a desperate and undignified attempt to drown out student voices but we stood firm. Our struggle is not just for ourselves but for generations to come.”

One student held a placard reading, “This administration should remember its roots. Jamia was born from resistance not silence.”

Students Reject Legitimacy of the Waqf Bill

A student protestor named Bushra, who helped organize the demonstration, said, “We burnt the bill to show that this law does not carry any legitimacy for our community and we completely reject it.”

The protest concluded with students raising slogans, holding placards, and affirming their collective stand against what they view as discrimination through legislative means.

The student community declared their commitment to continuing the protest until the Waqf Bill 2025 is withdrawn.