Jamia Millia Islamia Suspends Professor After Exam Question Sparks Online Controversy
University orders internal inquiry after a question on atrocities against Muslims draws backlash on social media
Jamia Millia Islamia University has suspended a professor from its Department of Social Work and ordered an internal inquiry after an undergraduate exam question triggered widespread criticism online.
The controversy began after images of a first-semester BA (Honours) Social Work question paper started circulating on social media. The exam, titled “Social Problems in India”, included a question asking students to “discuss the atrocities against Muslim minorities in India, giving suitable examples.”
The question drew sharp reactions, especially from Hindutva groups, who accused the university of promoting bias and demanded strict action against those responsible.
In an office order issued on December 23, the university said it had received complaints from several quarters regarding the end-semester examination paper. The order identified a faculty member as the paper setter and stated that the competent authority viewed the matter seriously.
The university described the issue as a case of “negligence and lack of due care” in framing the question. Invoking Statute 37(1) of Jamia Millia Islamia’s statutes, Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif placed the professor under suspension with immediate effect, pending the outcome of a formal inquiry.
According to the order, the suspended professor must remain headquartered in New Delhi during the inquiry period and cannot leave the city without prior permission from the university.
The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) also reacted to the issue, calling it a matter of serious concern. In a statement, the association claimed the question reflected a one-sided viewpoint and called for a review of both the examination process and the syllabus.
DUTA further urged the Union Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take note of the incident.
So far, Jamia Millia Islamia has not issued a detailed public statement explaining or defending the academic context of the question. The university has also not responded to media queries on whether similar topics are included elsewhere in the syllabus as part of academic study.
