Jamia University Suspends Faculty Who Claimed To Have Failed ‘Non-Muslim’ Students, Faces Online Attacks

Jamia Millia Islamia, a central university based in New Delhi, today (26 March) reacted to a news report about objectionable tweets posted by one of its assistant professors, Abrar Ahmad.

The verified handle of Jamia tweeted in reply to a website post, “Dr. Abrar Ahmad, Asstt Professor of @jmiu_official tweeted in public domain as to failing 15 non-muslim students in an exam. This is a serious misconduct inciting communal disharmony under CCS CONDUCT RULES. The university suspends him pending inquiry. @DrRPNishank @HRDMinistry”.

The report by the website published on 25 March said that Abrar Ahmad said in a tweet that he failed 15 of his non-Muslim students, who had supported the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and expressed their disapproval against the anti-CAA protests.

This is what the tweet by Ahmad said, “All my students have passed except 15 non-Muslims, who have to reappear. If you protest against #CAAprotests, then I have 55 students in my favour. The majority will teach you a lesson if the protest doesn’t end #riots. Due to #corona, your symbols of protest be erased. I wonder why they hate me?”

The tweet has now been deleted.

The website quoted an unnamed “source in Jamia” saying that “professors know the roll numbers and we have to put them on mark sheets. So it is easy for them to identify non-Muslim students”.

Despite the provocative tweet made by the faculty, Jamia’s decision to suspend him temporarily immediately came under attack by the accused’s co-religionists.

A user, @zikrNaik, wrote, “What the hell u jamia administration is doing ?? first Give sir Abrar a chance to explain his viewpoint and then take action. This is complete arbitrary. U @jmiu_official should revoke all charges.”

Another user, @ArsalanMohd_, wrote, “Seriously which. Idiot is using this twitter account on which basis you are setting an enquiry on a him? OpIndia's claim are not even worth replying on twitter let alone setting. Up. An enquiry.”

Some even posted their objections with hashtag #istandwithabrarsir.’

A user, by the name Sanaullah Akbar, wrote, “Deekh mat jana warna pakad k sarcasm samjaenge tum ko. Matlab bas boss logon ko khush karna hai. Dho ne bhi dete ho ya chaat lete ho usse pehle hi? #istandwithabrarsir”

The hashtag was used by many users against the university’s decision.

A user, @tweet_aasif, wrote, “This spineless and benighted decision goes against the Principle of Natural Justice. Suspending a virtuous teacher based on reports from a pernicious journal is totally unacceptable. Have a basic understanding of Sarcasm, u idiots. #IStandWithAbrarSir”

Abrar Ahmad’s Twitter account now shows it’s been deactivated (it could be temporary).