Several departments at Jamia Millia Islamia have withheld students’ admit cards due to alleged attendance shortages, a decision that has reportedly caused significant distress among the affected students. Complaints from students indicate that there is no digital attendance tracking system, centralized register, or official monthly updates, which has hindered their ability to verify and contest attendance records, leading to a lack of transparency.
The father of a fifth-semester Islamic Studies student, who went missing after being denied an admit card, expressed his concerns for his son’s mental well-being, stating that his son had been deeply distressed after facing mockery from university officials. The father traveled from Amroha to find his son, only to discover he had returned home in an agitated state. “I understand that attendance shortage is wrong, but there is a way to speak to students. It doesn’t mean you ruin an entire year over a few percentage points of attendance,” he remarked.
In the Mathematics Department, it was reported that approximately 45 out of 60 students did not receive their admit cards, while in the Geography Department, 21 out of 56 faced the same situation. Moreover, students highlighted the absence of a functioning Student Grievance Redressal Committee, despite a 2024 Delhi High Court ruling urging universities to implement student-friendly processes, reconsider strict attendance policies, and ensure accountability.
Students have already missed one exam after the Head of Department (HoD) declined to issue admit cards despite instructions from the Dean of Students’ Welfare. The HoD’s unyielding stance has been described by students as “arbitrary and unjust,” with normal procedures for addressing attendance shortages seemingly ignored.
Concerns are mounting among students about the possibility of losing an academic year and the potential impacts on postgraduate admissions and future career prospects. While university ordinances mandate a minimum of 75% attendance, students noted that a threshold of 65% with supporting medical documentation is typically acceptable. However, students alleged that their medical certificates, prescriptions, and other legitimate health records have been disregarded, even in cases involving accidents and chronic illness.
One student, who was hospitalized following an accident, stated that his medical documentation was not being considered. He also pointed out that athletes in his class faced denial of admit cards despite a separate attendance mechanism that counts practice sessions alongside classes.
Claims of biased attendance records were also made, with reports that a student who had dropped a course was recorded with 6% attendance, while diligent students were being adversely affected. Students complained of an absence of systematic attendance management, with some departments reportedly using unorganized methods such as loose A4 sheets, allowing class representatives to handle attendance instead of faculty members, thereby fostering favoritism.
Allegations surfaced that the administration acted deliberately to mislead students regarding the issuance of admit cards. Students who inquired were assured on a Friday that admit cards would be distributed on the following Monday, but a subsequent distribution revealed that only a few students received theirs.
This situation comes just a month after the Delhi High Court’s judgment in the case of Sushant Rohilla, a law student who died after being barred from examinations due to attendance issues. The Court mandated that educational institutions must operate with transparency and responsibility regarding matters that influence students’ academic journeys and mental health.
In the ruling, the Court decreed that no student enrolled in any recognized educational institution in India should be prevented from taking exams or pursuing academic progression due to attendance shortages. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for universities to adhere strictly to the attendance norms prescribed by the Bar Council of India.
In response to these grievances, students have submitted a detailed representation to the Dean of Students’ Welfare, demanding the immediate release of admit cards for all affected individuals, acknowledgment of medical documents, rectification of attendance records, implementation of a reliable digital attendance system, establishment of a Student Grievance Redressal Committee, and a one-time relaxation of attendance requirements due to administrative shortcomings.
The Fraternity Movement at Jamia Millia Islamia criticized the administration’s abrupt actions, labeling them as violations of fairness and transparency expected from public universities. They stated that withholding the right to take examinations results in lasting academic and psychological harm, calling for an immediate review of the attendance process.
Collaborative efforts among campus organizations, including the Fraternity Movement and the Students Islamic Organisation of India, have led to a memorandum directed to the Dean of Students’ Welfare. Additionally, the Muslim Students Federation announced plans to escalate the issue to the Vice-Chancellor through representatives in the Indian Union Muslim League.
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