Story perspectives

Jamia Millia Islamia removes “Free Kashmir” graffiti, investigates

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 10:46 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Ali blames administrators

Graffiti reading “Free Kashmir,” “Free Sharjeel Imam,” and slogans was discovered at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi on October 23, 2026.
The university said it would review actions taken Oct 12-21 and warned, while Jasim Ali denied involvement and accused administrators of planting elements.
Police set entry checks as the university removed graffiti and opened an investigation.
A committee chaired by Dean Zubair Meenai was tasked with drafting a union constitution for Dec 20, 2026.

Right

Graffiti cleaned chemically

Graffiti reading “Free Kashmir,” “Free Sharjeel Imam,” and other slogans was found on walls inside Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi on October 23, 2026.
Congress MP Imran Masood and Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi were detained while trying to meet protesting students.
University officials began removing graffiti with chemical agents and said they would punish those responsible.
The ABVP student organization demanded the university take action against the graffiti writers.

Blindspot

Congress MP Imran Masood and Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi were detained while attempting to meet protesting students, according to Right-leaning sources.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1990, the implementation of the Mandal Commission sparked massive student protests across Delhi universities, including Jamia Millia Islamia, leading to violent clashes. The Delhi Police recorded 1,200 arrests that year, while the University Grants Commission reported 12,000 participants demanding policy reversal. Similarly, on October 23, 2026, graffiti demanding “Free Kashmir” and “Free Sharjeel Imam” appeared at Jamia, prompting police checks and MP detentions. These recurring campus flashpoints illustrate how student activism repeatedly forces Indian authorities to balance security measures with political dissent, shaping future university governance.

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Ali blames administrators

Graffiti reading “Free Kashmir,” “Free Sharjeel Imam,” and slogans was discovered at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi on October 23, 2026.
The university said it would review actions taken Oct 12-21 and warned, while Jasim Ali denied involvement and accused administrators of planting elements.
Police set entry checks as the university removed graffiti and opened an investigation.
A committee chaired by Dean Zubair Meenai was tasked with drafting a union constitution for Dec 20, 2026.

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