Jamia Row
‘Mahadev DNA’ row rocks Jamia: BJP backs VC as campus protests intensify
A political and campus row has erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia after Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif’s remarks linking Indian identity to “Mahadev’s DNA” triggered widespread reactions.
The statement, made during a ‘Yuva Kumbh’ event associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on campus, quickly circulated online and drew strong responses from multiple quarters.
Asif Azhar, Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia at an RSS event:
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 30, 2026
“We are different geographically, culturally, socially or by belief but we all are Bhartiya because We have Mahadev's DNA” pic.twitter.com/pIreMrmvL7
Asif reportedly said that Indians share a common identity rooted in “Mahadev’s DNA”, a comment that has since become the focal point of protests and political debate.
Student protests intensify
Student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India, National Students’ Union of India and All India Students’ Association, have strongly objected to the remarks.
They described the statement as “unscientific” and raised concerns over the nature of the event hosted within the university premises.
Protests escalated as demonstrators gathered outside the campus, raising slogans and displaying placards.
Visuals showed students burning posters depicting the Vice-Chancellor, signalling growing anger over both the statement and the event’s association.
Student groups also alleged that the administration responded to demonstrations with force.
According to the Students’ Federation of India, some protesters were physically handled by the proctorial team, with one student reportedly hospitalised following an altercation involving campus security personnel.
Political backing from BJP leaders
Amid the protests, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party extended support to the Vice-Chancellor, describing the remark as symbolic rather than literal.
BJP leader Amit Malviya stated that the comment should be understood as a cultural metaphor reflecting shared heritage, rather than a scientific assertion.
The outrage over Jamia VC Mazhar Asif’s remark that “we all have Mahadev’s DNA” says more about our shrinking tolerance for civilisational ideas than about the statement itself.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 30, 2026
To interpret it literally and then dismiss it as “unscientific” is to miss the point entirely. In the…
He added that such expressions have historically been used to highlight cultural continuity and shared roots across communities, citing past references by prominent figures who emphasised common ancestry within India’s diverse society.
The protests also reflected opposition to the hosting of an RSS-linked programme at the university, with several students arguing that it conflicted with Jamia’s historical ethos.
The demonstrations underscored broader tensions around institutional spaces and ideological representation.
The university administration has not issued any official clarification regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s remarks.
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