Jamia professor who sent petition to President Pranab Mukherjee seeks police protection

New Delhi: A Jamia professor, who had sent a petition to President Pranab Mukherjee alleging irregularities in university's functioning, on Monday approached police claiming that he has been threatened with dire consequences and requested that he be provided security.

Jamia Millia Islamia university authorities, rubbished the allegations of threat as baseless and maintained that it was "improper" on his part of having petitioned the President without approaching the varsity administration.

Police officials said that they have received the complaint but no FIR has been registered in this connection.

"Certain members of the staff association and other representative bodies entered my department today shouting hostile and intimidating slogans and threatening me with dire consequences. This was an unjustified reaction to complaints sent by me to the President," Obaid Siddiqui, professor at Jamia's Mass Communication Centre, alleged in his complaint.

The professor, who was not in his office today, further said, "Since I was on leave today, I was saved from a sure assaults by these lawless elements. I would request you to provide me with immediate police protection so that no harm is caused to me and my duties are not disrupted".

A senior police official said, "we have received the complaint and the matter is being looked into. No FIR has been registered in this regard and his request for police protection will be examined".

Siddiqui, had sent a petition to the President who is Visitor to the university, objecting to introduction of 5 per cent seats for wards of Jamia Millia Islamia employees, despite Delhi High Court having quashed a similar arrangement in 1997.

Jamia spokesperson Mukesh Ranjan said, "the allegations about threats to Siddiqui are baseless. I am told there was was a demonstration against him by university teachers for violating service rules. It was improper on his part to approach the President without articulating his concerns before the university authorities."