'Strike for Babri' slogans raised at Jamia Millia Islamia Campus, investigation underway
A group of students protested at Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi against the demolition of Babri Masjid during the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
New Delhi: Police personnel were deployed outside the Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday as a precautionary measure after a video of two to three students raising slogans like 'Strike for Babri' surfaced online, officials said. The deployment took place on the day of the dedication of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The temple was built on the site where the 16th century Babri Masjid once stood, before it was demolished by a frenzied mob of 'karsevaks' in 1992.
“Deployment of police personnel outside (the university) is a precautionary measure,” a police official said, adding that this was done in view of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple and the upcoming Republic Day.
Students organized protests on the university campus
On the evening of January 22, which was celebrated across the country to welcome Ram Lalla back to Ayodhya, videos surfaced of two students holding placards with the pictures of the demolished Babri Masjid and raising slogans.
While the protest was going on, many students of the university appeared for the evening shift exams. University officials also said, “No issues were encountered during the exams. Jamia has taken half the day off, which means the first half of the exams have been postponed.”
Actions taken by the university authorities
The university officials said the students were removed from the spot as soon as the protest started. They further clarified: “There were two to three students yesterday who raised slogans and showed banners. When we got the knowledge, the students were removed from the place. The university is further investigating the matter.”
The protests took place ahead of Ram Lalla's 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, which was celebrated in Ayodhya. Following this, the shrine was opened to the general public on Tuesday.
The construction of the temple was made possible only after the Supreme Court ruled on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case in November 2019.
(With input from agencies)