Jamia Students Seek Police Probe Into Alleged Defamatory Claims Against Registrar Prof Mahtab Alam Rizvi | Dr M Rahmatullah

– Dr M Rahmatullah

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A large number of Jamia Millia Islamia students approached Jamia Nagar Police Station, seeking registration of a complaint and a thorough investigation into allegedly objectionable and defamatory allegations being circulated against the university’s Registrar, Prof Mahtab Alam Rizvi.

The students submitted a complaint against Bhupendra Pal Singh Chauhan and Haris-ul-Haq, requesting an investigation into the authenticity and source of the circulated material.

The students alleged that social media and other platforms were circulating material concerning the Registrar without sufficient facts and context. They urged the police to identify the source of the material, verify the claims and determine whether its circulation violated any law.

The students further pointed out that a civil court had already passed an order in favour of the Registrar.

According to them, the court had restrained the circulation of material relating to the disputed allegations and noted that the Registrar’s appointment and promotion followed the university’s prescribed statutory procedure.

The order warned that continued circulation of the material could lead to contempt proceedings despite the restraint.

Criticism Is Welcome, But Allegations Must Be Verified

The students participating in the demonstration clarified that their objective was not to prevent legitimate criticism but to ensure that authorities verify serious allegations before presenting them as facts. They said matters relating to appointments, promotions and administrative decisions fall within the university’s prescribed rules and statutory procedures, with appropriate institutional forums available for raising grievances.

The students expressed concern over the rapid spread of incomplete or unverified information on social media. They further said digital platforms can reach a large number of people within minutes, while factual verification may take considerably longer.

According to the students, the material concerning the Registrar presented several aspects without their original context.

The students said unverified allegations against a senior university official can affect not only the reputation of the individual concerned but the image and credibility of the entire institution. They described protecting the university’s reputation as a shared responsibility of its students and members of the university community.

The students’ principal demand before the police is to investigate the allegations against the Registrar and the material used to circulate them within the framework of law.

If the investigation establishes any violation of legal provisions, the authorities should take appropriate action against those responsible in accordance with the law.

The students said disputes concerning universities and their officials should rely on facts, evidence, impartial investigations and established legal and institutional procedures, rather than allegations and counter-allegations. They acknowledged that social media is an important platform for public expression but cautioned that its wide reach increases the risk of unverified information spreading rapidly.

The students stressed the need to verify the authenticity of any allegation before circulating it.