Amzad Ali
A peaceful protest by law students at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has triggered controversy after a video clip circulating on social media was allegedly misinterpreted, prompting students to accuse certain media platforms of spreading misleading narratives.
The protest, now entering its fifth day at the Faculty of Law, began after several final-year students were reportedly detained for an alleged shortage of mandatory attendance. According to the students, the sudden enforcement of attendance criteria at a crucial stage of their academic program has placed their degrees and future career prospects at risk.
Tensions escalated after a short video clip surfaced online showing a group of students chanting “Azadi” slogans. While some media outlets portrayed the slogans as politically charged, the protesting students strongly refuted such claims, clarifying that the chants were limited to “attendance se azadi” — a demand for relief from stringent attendance requirements — and carried no anti-national or ideological connotation.
Student representatives said that the protest has remained entirely peaceful, with no incidents of violence or disruption reported within the campus. “This is a student-centric issue concerning our academic future. Misrepresenting our voices harms not only us but the reputation of the institution,” said student leader Syed Kaif Hasan.
Protesters have also raised concerns over the alleged non-compliance with a relevant Delhi High Court judgment, Sushant Rohilla Case, which they claim addresses similar attendance and detention issues in educational institutions. They argue that failure to implement such judicial directions may amount to contempt of court, thereby raising legal as well as administrative questions for the university authorities.
In addition to seeking immediate redressal of attendance-related grievances, the students have demanded transparency in the evaluation and detention process. They have called upon the university administration to follow the Honourable High Court Judgement.
The Students have further urged authorities to initiate legal action against individuals or media platforms that allegedly circulated the video with misleading captions or commentary. According to them, such actions not only distort facts but also create unnecessary tension and damage the credibility of the university at a national level.
Meanwhile, no official statement has yet been released by the university administration addressing the specific allegations regarding court order compliance or the ongoing protest. However, sources within the institution indicate that internal discussions are underway to review the matter.
Legal experts Adv. Waseem Khan noted that issues relating to attendance requirements often involve a balance between academic discipline and students’ rights, and any deviation from established procedures or judicial guidelines may invite scrutiny.
As the protest continues, students remain firm in their demands for a fair, transparent, and timely resolution. The situation highlights broader concerns about communication gaps between university administrations and students, as well as the role of media in reporting sensitive campus developments.
