By Vishu Adhana

New Delhi (India), March 28 (ANI): Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has revised its Ph.D. admission policy, making the 50 per cent Muslim reservation optional rather than mandatory.

This has triggered concerns over the 'dilution' of Jamia's minority quota.

The amendment, passed through a notification issued on November 12, 2024, modifies Ordinance 9 (IX) on Ph.D. admissions by changing the language from 'shall' to 'may'.

The revised ordinance, present on the university's website, states: 'While granting admission to PhD programmes, the Faculty/Department/Centre may pay due attention to JMI reservation policy adopted for admissions.'

Previously, the policy clearly mandated: '50 per cent of the seats shall be reserved for Muslim candidates.'

The amendment was approved by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif on behalf of the Academic Council and the Executive Council, with Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi signing the notification.

Despite repeated attempts, Jamia Millia Islamia officials did not respond to ANI's calls and messages seeking their comment on the matter.

As a constitutionally protected minority institution, Jamia is entitled to reserve 50 percent of its seats for Muslim students under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004.

However, the new amendment gives the administration the discretion to decide whether or not to implement the reservation.

The All India Students' Association (AISA) condemned the move, calling it a 'deliberate attack on the rights of Muslim students.'

In a press release, the student body on Friday said, 'Jamia Millia Islamia, a constitutionally protected minority institution, is legally bound to reserve 50% of its seats for Muslim students. However, the recent amendment has deliberately weakened this policy by making the reservation optional.'

AISA also presented data highlighting the alleged exclusion of Muslim candidates.

According to the figures shared by the student body, several departments have a significant number of vacant seats despite the availability of Muslim applicants.

For instance, the Department of English has 17 vacant seats despite admitting 15 non-Muslim candidates and only 12 Muslim students in the academic year 2024-25.

The Department of Sociology admitted 11 non-Muslim candidates and 6 Muslim students, leaving 14 seats vacant.

The MMAJ Academy of International Studies has 8 vacant seats, while the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research left 5 seats unfilled

AISA alleged that the administration is deliberately leaving seats vacant rather than filling them with eligible Muslim candidates. 'The administration has deliberately left seats vacant instead of filling them with eligible Muslim candidates, violating Jamia's minority status,' the student body stated.

The students have demanded immediate corrective action, including the revocation of the amendment and the restoration of the binding 50% Muslim reservation policy. They have also called for an independent investigation into alleged discrimination against Muslim candidates and demanded that the administration be held accountable.

'We will continue to mobilize, protest, and fight against this institutionalized exclusion until justice is served,' AISA asserted. (ANI)