The Incident That Ignited the Firestorm

On April 28, 2026, during an event titled Yuva Kumbh organized on the Jamia Millia Islamia campus to commemorate the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's centenary, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif delivered remarks that have since reverberated across India's higher education landscape. Addressing a diverse audience, Asif emphasized national unity by stating that despite variations in language, culture, geography, and religion, 'the DNA of all Indians is the DNA of Mahadev.' He elaborated that this shared essence underpins Indian identity, transcending superficial differences.

The statement, captured in a widely circulated video, was intended as a metaphorical nod to cultural interconnectedness. However, it quickly escalated into a full-blown controversy, with students viewing it as an imposition of majoritarian ideology on a institution historically rooted in pluralism and secular values. Protests erupted almost immediately outside the auditorium, where heavy security deployment—including Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel—ensured the event proceeded amid chants of dissent.

Understanding the Yuva Kumbh Context

The Yuva Kumbh was part of nationwide celebrations marking 100 years since the RSS's founding in 1925. Held at JMI's Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the program aimed to engage youth with nationalist themes. Permission for the event was granted by the university administration, sparking accusations of favoritism toward right-wing groups. Student organizations like the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students' Association (AISA) mobilized over 50 protesters, blocking entry points and raising slogans such as 'No Space for RSS in Jamia.'

These groups argued that allowing such an event contradicted JMI's ethos as a central university with minority status, established in 1920 amid the Non-Cooperation Movement by leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Hakim Ajmal Khan. The protests delayed the program but did not halt it, highlighting tensions between administrative decisions and student autonomy in campus programming.

Student Protests Erupt and Escalate

The initial backlash on April 28 was just the beginning. By May 2, during the annual function at MMA Jauhar Hall boys' hostel, protesters directly confronted the Vice-Chancellor. Videos show students chanting against Asif, decrying the RSS event and his remarks as 'saffronisation' of the campus. AISA-JMI issued a statement alleging Asif referred to dissenters as 'dogs,' a claim that intensified outrage.

SFI condemned the administration's response to protests, reporting instances of physical handling by proctorial teams. 'While students face restrictions on democratic activities, RSS programs get facilitated,' their statement read. These events underscore recurring themes in Indian universities, where student activism often clashes with authority, as seen in past JMI protests during the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act demonstrations.

Political Reactions Divide the Narrative

The controversy swiftly entered the political arena. BJP's IT head Amit Malviya defended Asif, calling the remark a 'civilisational metaphor' symbolizing shared ancestry and unity, not a literal genetic claim. He invoked historical Muslim scholars like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Wahiduddin Khan to argue for cultural continuity. BJP spokesperson Ishwar Singh Thakur praised RSS efforts in nation-building through youth engagement.

Conversely, left-leaning groups labeled it 'unscientific and regressive,' violating constitutional promotion of scientific temper. Samajwadi Party's Fakhrul Hasan Chand accused BJP-RSS of turning universities into political battlegrounds. This polarization mirrors broader national debates on identity, secularism, and education.

For deeper insight into the political framing, this analysis from The Indian Express details the exchanges.

Photo by jaikishan patel on Unsplash

Profile of Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif

Appointed as JMI's 16th Vice-Chancellor on October 24, 2024, by President Droupadi Murmu, Professor Mazhar Asif brings expertise in medieval Indian history and Sufism from his tenure at Jawaharlal Nehru University. An alumnus of JNU, his academic focus on interfaith dialogues and cultural histories positions him uniquely amid this row. Some reports note his past association with ABVP, adding layers to perceptions of his leadership style.

In his brief tenure, Asif has navigated challenges like faculty recruitment and infrastructure upgrades, but this incident marks his most public controversy. Supporters view his remarks as aligning with composite culture, while critics see them as straying from empirical academia.

Jamia Millia Islamia's Storied Legacy

Founded in 1920 as a response to colonial education, JMI evolved into a central university in 1988, retaining Muslim minority status for 50% seat reservations. Home to over 50,000 students, it excels in engineering, law, and mass communication, with NIRF rankings placing it among India's top 10 universities. Its history of progressive activism— from freedom struggle to CAA protests—makes ideological incursions particularly sensitive.

The university's administration has not issued an official statement on the remarks, with a spokesperson declining comment to media outlets like Hindustan Times. This silence has fueled speculation on internal divisions. Hindustan Times coverage highlights the campus's pluralistic fabric.

Saffronisation Fears in Indian Higher Education

This episode revives debates on 'saffronisation'—perceived infusion of Hindutva into academia. Similar incidents include RSS shakhas on BHU campus, ABVP influence in DU colleges, and controversies at AMU. UGC guidelines emphasize secular curricula, yet student groups report restrictions on left-leaning events while right-wing ones proceed.

In minority institutions like JMI and AMU, such events raise questions on autonomy under Article 30. Data from All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2024-25 shows 1,000+ central universities grappling with ideological tensions amid enrollment surges to 4.3 crore students.

• Key concerns: Event permissions favoring certain ideologies
• Impact on minority quotas and inclusivity
• Rise in campus polarization affecting research output

Implications for Academic Freedom and Leadership

University leaders play pivotal roles in balancing free speech and institutional ethos. Asif's metaphor, while poetic, blurred lines between cultural discourse and scientific discourse, prompting SFI's invocation of Article 51A(h) on scientific temper. This raises stakes for VCs in diverse campuses: How to foster unity without alienating stakeholders?

Recent UGC reports highlight 25% vacancy in faculty positions nationwide, exacerbating administrative burdens. Protests like JMI's signal demands for transparent event policies and dialogue forums. Explore JMI's official stance via their website.

Photo by Shashank Raghuvanshi on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives and Demands

Students demand: Rescind RSS permissions, apologize for crackdowns, uphold secularism. Faculty remain divided, with some praising unity messages, others wary of precedents. Alumni networks urge de-escalation, emphasizing JMI's role in national integration.

Broader higher ed: Calls for national guidelines on external events, diversity training for admins, student representation in decisions. Case studies like JNU's 2016 episode show protests can catalyze reforms but also disrupt academics.

Path Forward: Dialogue Over Division

Resolving such controversies requires inclusive town halls, where VCs like Asif engage directly. Strengthening internal committees under POSH Act and UGC's anti-ragging guidelines could prevent escalations. Positive models include IITs' cultural fests embracing pluralism.

Future outlook: With NEP 2020 pushing multidisciplinary approaches, universities must navigate identity politics. JMI's resilience—producing leaders like former President Zakir Husain—suggests potential for constructive outcomes. Encouraging applications for faculty roles via platforms like AcademicJobs.com can bolster diverse leadership.