Row Over ‘Mahadev’s DNA’ Remark: BJP Backs Jamia VC Mazhar Asif as Student Groups Protest
By Rajesh Pandey
A fresh controversy has erupted around Mazhar Asif, with political reactions and campus protests following his reported remarks that all Indians share “Mahadev’s DNA.”
The Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia is facing criticism from student groups and sections of the academic community, while the BJP has stepped in to defend him, urging people to interpret his statement in a broader, cultural context.
BJP Calls It a “Civilisational Metaphor”
Backing Asif, Amit Malviya said critics were taking the remark too literally. In a post on X, he argued that such expressions should not be judged through a strictly scientific lens.
According to him, the reference to “Mahadev’s DNA” was symbolic — a way of expressing India’s shared civilisational roots and cultural continuity rather than a literal biological claim.
“These are metaphors that reflect a shared ancestry and collective consciousness shaped over centuries,” Malviya said, adding that reducing such ideas to scientific scrutiny misses their intent.
What Sparked the Controversy
The debate began after a video clip surfaced from a “Yuva Kumbh” event organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as part of its centenary celebrations.
In the clip, Asif is heard speaking about India’s diversity — pointing out differences in language, region, and religion — before saying that what ultimately binds people together is a shared identity. He framed this unity through the idea that “Mahadev’s DNA” connects all Indians.
Supporters argue that he was using a metaphor to describe unity in diversity. Critics, however, see it differently.
Student Groups Push Back
Student organisations, particularly the All India Students’ Association (AISA), have strongly objected to the remarks.
In a statement, AISA called the comment “unscientific” and “undemocratic,” arguing that such ideas reduce India’s diverse identity to a narrow framework. The group also linked the statement to larger concerns about ideological influence within educational institutions.
Another student body, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), joined the protests on campus.
Protests on Campus
Tensions were visible at Jamia earlier this week when students staged protests against the RSS-linked event. Demonstrators gathered outside the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, raising slogans and briefly blocking access to the venue.
Security was tightened, with personnel from the Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force deployed at the university gates. While the protest delayed the programme, the administration later clarified that no injuries were reported.
About Mazhar Asif
Prof. Mazhar Asif took charge as Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia in October 2024 after being appointed by Droupadi Murmu. Before this, he was associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University, where he taught at the Centre of Persian and Central Asian Studies.
He succeeded former VC Najma Akhtar.
A Debate Beyond Words
At its core, the controversy reflects a deeper divide — between those who see such statements as symbolic expressions of shared heritage, and those who view them as problematic, especially in academic spaces meant to uphold scientific and inclusive values.
As the debate continues, it has once again brought questions of identity, language, and institutional autonomy into the spotlight.
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