JMI Suspends Professor For Asking A Question On Atrocities Against 'Muslim Minority' In Exam

The question of academic freedom is raised once again, now on the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India’s prominent central university, where a professor was sacked for asking a question about the atrocities happening against minorities in India. The question led the professor to receive a suspension order from the university, along with the filing of an FIR against him. Student organisations and academic groups have condemned the decision, calling it fascism and demanding the revocation of the suspension order.

Professor Virendra Balaji Shahare teaches in the Department of Social Work at JMI. He set the question paper for the end-of-semester examination for the subject titled Social Problem in India for B.A. (Hons) Social Work, session 2025-26.

The university cited one of the questions as objectionable and served him with the notice of immediate suspension. In the question paper, Prof Shahare asked, “Discuss the atrocities against Muslim minorities in India, giving suitable examples.

However, as per the student bodies, including SFI, DISHA, and AISA, the question is explicitly located within the prescribed syllabus under unit II, which is social problems and social work intervention, under the subtopic – atrocities against women, children, SC, ST, and minorities. The question, therefore, lies under the legitimate syllabus-based academic assessment, the student organisations of the university said.

The student-led bodies have condemned the university administration for curbing democratic activity on the campus and cited the increasing interference in higher education institutions since 2014.

Students have also demanded the reinstating the Jamia Teacher’s Association, following the Delhi High Court order.

The questions were raised about the attempt by the university administration to intimidate teaching staff by making an example out of a faculty member.