The controversy erupted over a 15-mark question framed by Social Work Department professor Virendra Balaji in the BA (Hons.) Social Work first-semester examination.
The paper, titled Social Problems in India, asked students to “discuss the atrocities against Muslim minorities in India, giving suitable examples”.
Jamia Millia Islamia suspends Social Work Dept professor for extremely provocative and communally polarising question in Semester 1 question paper. Inquiry ordered. FIR being filed.
— Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) December 23, 2025
JMI is a Central University with a mixed student community. The question shows malicious intent. pic.twitter.com/GSHzJOsg2o
Describing the incident as an act of “negligence” and “carelessness”, the university constituted an inquiry committee to examine the matter.
“An inquiry committee has been formed to examine the issue. Until the committee submits its report, the concerned professor has been placed under suspension,” a university official told NDTV.
The official said the decision was taken to uphold academic responsibility and institutional discipline.
As per the suspension order, the professor’s headquarters during the suspension period will be New Delhi, and he will not be permitted to leave without prior approval of the competent authority.
The probe will examine how the question was framed and approved, and whether it violated university norms or examination guidelines, the report said.