As another year begins, it is time to look back (in despair) at the state of higher educational institutions in our country: to recall how, during the last year, the process of converting these spaces of intense inquiry, debate, discussion and possible dissent into sites of conformity, obedience and discipline continued with no sign of any pause or reflection by the powers that be. Here are some glaring examples (alas, it is not an exhaustive list).

Jamia Milia Islamia: show-cause notices and protests

In February 2025, Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi, issued show-cause notices against four PhD students for organising a meeting in memory of the anti-CAA/NRC protests held in Delhi in December 2019, when the Delhi Police had lathi-charged students inside the institute’s library. (During that lathi charge, one student lost his eye, several others were injured and the library was vandalised by the police.) The students who received show-cause notices were further intimidated and threatened by the administration. This led to sit-in protests by students near the central canteen.

Tensions escalated when some students from the protest site were dragged by the police and detained at various police stations. Further, the administration cut off electricity, water and access to washrooms for protesting students.

JNU: students detained for slogans

In the early morning of February 4, four students associated with the student group Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch were detained by guards on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, for peacefully raising concerns by painting slogans........

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