Jamia Millia Islamia suspends professor, orders inquiry after exam question on ‘atrocities against Muslim minorities’ sparks backlash

Jamia Millia Islamia has placed a faculty member under suspension and ordered an internal inquiry after a semester examination question triggered sharp criticism online, according to a report by ToI.

The controversy centres on a BA (Hons) Social Work Semester I paper titled Social Problems in India, in which students were asked to “discuss the atrocities against Muslim minorities in India, giving suitable examples.” Images of the question paper began circulating on social media, drawing objections over its framing and intent.

In an office order dated December 23, the university said it had received multiple complaints from different sources regarding the end-semester examination paper for the 2025–26 academic session. Identifying a faculty member from the Department of Social Work as the paper setter, the order said the competent authority had taken a “serious view” of what it described as his “negligence and carelessness.”


Invoking Statute 37(1) of the university’s statutes, the vice-chancellor placed the professor under suspension with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the inquiry. During the suspension period, the order stated, his headquarters will remain New Delhi, and he has been directed not to leave without prior permission from the competent authority.

The question drew criticism from several quarters online. A student-run platform linked to Jawaharlal Nehru University shared images of the paper, questioning the appropriateness of the question and alleging ideological bias. The post also objected to the wording of the question and linked it to alleged violence against Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) also circulated the question paper, calling it a matter of “serious concern.” DUTA alleged that the question promoted a “one-sided” narrative in a centrally funded university and urged an immediate review of both the question paper and the syllabus. The association further called on the education ministry and the University Grants Commission to take note of the issue.

Jamia Millia Islamia did not respond to ToI's queries seeking its official position.

(With inputs from ToI)