Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), one of India's prominent central universities, on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, expressed deep shock and condemnation over large-scale vandalism that struck its New Delhi campus the previous night, carried out by groups of protesting students and local residents. The university described the destruction as deeply distressing and raised serious concerns about the safety of its entire community.

What Happened on the Night of October 27

According to JMI, groups of protesters vandalised university gates and boundary walls, brought down Gate No. 4C, pelted stones, and damaged the CCTV control room and cameras while severing their connections. The university noted that videos, CCTV footage, and social media posts — including those posted by the protesters themselves — show that thick iron rods, hammers, and other tools were used to inflict extensive infrastructure damage.

Notably, a group of masked protesters reportedly reached the university's boys' hostel in an attempt to mobilise more individuals. The university said the scale, speed, and intensity of the vandalism on the night of 27 October raised 'serious concerns' beyond anything seen in the preceding week's incidents.

Vandalism Followed Dialogue Attempt — the Seventh

In a particularly concerning detail, JMI stated that the destruction began shortly after members of the protesting student committee had been in discussions with university faculty. The university noted this marked the seventh such attempt at dialogue initiated by its administration. 'Most concerning is the fact that the vandalism began shortly after members of the protesting student committee had been in discussions with JMI faculty,' the university said in its official statement.

The university added that female faculty members, wardens, and the provost were subjected to threats when they attempted to reason with female protesters, calling such behaviour 'highly condemnable' and contrary to the spirit of peaceful protest.

University Had Already Shifted to Online Mode

The violence unfolded even as JMI had already transitioned to an online mode of operation, pursuant to a notification issued on 24 October 2026. The university said this context made the vandalism all the more inexplicable, given that physical access to campus had already been curtailed to de-escalate tensions.

The incidents on 27 October follow a series of escalating breaches over the previous week, during which attempts were made to scale, damage, or breach the university's gates and boundary walls. However, the administration characterised the latest episode as a qualitative escalation in both severity and organisation.

Impact on Infrastructure and Community Safety

JMI said the damage to classrooms, laboratories, libraries, security systems, and access routes not only represents a significant financial loss but also jeopardises the safety of students, faculty, and staff. The university said it was left 'deeply distressed and outraged,' stressing that the university's infrastructure is essential for maintaining a secure environment on campus.

As of Wednesday, paramilitary forces and Delhi Police personnel remain deployed outside the university campus. The administration has not yet announced the next steps, but the deployment signals that authorities are treating the situation as an active security concern. All eyes are now on whether dialogue can be revived — or whether legal action will follow.