A major controversy has erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia over a question in the BA (Hons) Social Work semester examination. The university administration has suspended a faculty member from the Department of Social Work with immediate effect for including a question asking students to “discuss the atrocities against Muslim minorities in India” in the exam paper. The move has sparked intense debate on academic freedom and freedom of expression on campus.
The suspended faculty member has been identified as Prof. Virendra Balaji Shahare, who set the question paper for the BA (Hons) Social Work Semester-1 examination titled “Social Problems in India” for the academic session 2025–26. According to the university, the suspension follows complaints received from multiple sources regarding the content of the question paper.
In an order dated December 23, 2025, Jamia stated that the competent authority took a “serious view” of the matter and considered it an instance of the professor’s “negligence and carelessness.” Prof. Shahare will remain suspended until the completion of the inquiry. The university also mentioned that a police FIR would be filed in accordance with rules.
Invoking Statute 37(1), the university described the alleged act as “unbecoming” of a faculty member. During the suspension period, Prof. Shahare will remain headquartered in New Delhi and will not be allowed to leave the city without prior approval from the competent authority.
So far, the university has not publicly clarified the specific objections raised against the question or which part of the question was considered objectionable.
The suspension has triggered strong reactions from students, alumni, and faculty members. Former Social Work student Humaira Aftab said that the question was directly relevant to the curriculum. She added, “If social problems courses do not allow discussion on atrocities faced by minorities, what is the point of teaching the subject?”
A faculty member at Jamia, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident reflects growing pressures on universities and an attempt to suppress dissent. “Even asking a question has become risky today. The tradition of independent thinking and critical discourse in academic institutions is being undermined,” the teacher added.
The Jamia unit of the Fraternity Movement also strongly criticized the suspension, calling it an attack on academic freedom. The organization demanded that the suspension be immediately revoked and warned that if no reconsideration occurs, students and faculty will collectively stage protests.
The incident at Jamia Millia Islamia is not limited to the suspension of one teacher but has once again raised serious questions about the autonomy of higher education institutions, freedom of expression, and academic freedom across the country.
