Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), a central minority university renowned for its historical association with India’s freedom movement, is facing significant clashes over an amendment to its reservation policy for Ph.D. programmes. The change, introduced by Vice Chancellor Mazhar Asif on November 12, 2024, alters the language from “while granting the admission in Ph.D. programmes, the Department/Centre/Faculty shall pay due attention to JMI reservation policy adopted” to “while granting the admission in Ph.D. programmes, the Department/Centre/Faculty may pay due attention JMI reservation policy”, making amendments in section 2 (h) of Ordinance —( (XI) “Degree of Doctor of Philosophy”, regarding adherence to the university’s 50% reservation for Muslim minority students. This modification has led to concerns about the potential erosion of JMI’s minority status, protected under Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution.
Subsequent Ph.D. admission results have raised alarms, with several departments admitting fewer minority students than mandated. For instance, the AJK Mass Communication & Research Centre admitted only one Muslim student out of four seats, contradicting the university’s reservation policy. Students and faculty express concern that this amendment could signal a shift away from JMI’s foundational commitment to serving the Muslim community.
The controversy underscores a broader debate about the role of minority institutions in India and their capacity to uphold reservation policies in higher education. The details of results of some departments/Centre/ Faculty are as follows:
|
Centre/Department/ Faculty (Only for Ph.D). |
Total Number of Selected Seats |
Minority Students (Muslim) |
Non-Minority Students |
Vacant Seats |
|
AJK Mass Communication & Research Centre |
4 |
1 |
3 |
18 |
|
Centre for Culture Media & Governance |
7 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
Department of English |
27 |
12 |
15 |
17 |
|
Department of Sociology |
17 |
6 |
11 |
14 |
|
Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research |
9 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
|
MAJ Academy of International Studies |
13 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management |
8 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
Dr. K.R. Narayanan Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Department of Psychology |
10 |
2 |
8 |
21 |
References
-
Jamia Millia Islami Act, 1988. https://jmi.ac.in/upload/jamiadocs/JAMIA/ActStatutes.pdf
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Order delivered by the National Commission minority educational institutions,2011.https://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/jamiadocs/JAMIA/minorityinstitution.pdf
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Ordnance dated. 20/12/2021 which requires 50% reservation in Ph.D. Programmes of JMI. https://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/advertisement/notification_ordinance_ac_9_2021december30.pdf
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latest ordinance passed by VC which is matter of controversy. https://jmi.ac.in/upload/advertisement/notification_ordinance_ac_9_addendum_2024november12.pdf
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Results of Ph.D. programmes. https://admission.jmi.ac.in/Welcome/regularAdmissionPhD?UID=ijpS&rtextsess=6EIkMVFa7Q==&rtextscun=jzw=