Al Falah University Crisis: 600 Medical Students Face Uncertain Future Amid Terror Investigation

For now, the students oscillate between despair and defiant hope.

New Delhi:

"Our university is being labeled a terror den, a breeding ground for radicals. Some even suggest demolishing it completely. But what about the hundreds of students who enrolled here solely to build their careers?" expressed a postgraduate MBBS student as he departed from Al Falah University campus carrying two suitcases, his identity concealed behind a mask.

"If the institution closes tomorrow, five years of NEET preparation and hundreds of thousands of rupees - everything will be lost. We'll become graduates whose degrees no hospital will trust."

He mentioned his exams had concluded and he was returning to his home in Uttar Pradesh, declining to reveal his name.

The terror allegations emerged unexpectedly. Prior to the Red Fort explosion on November 10, which claimed at least 15 lives, the university maintained all proper credentials - UGC recognition, NAAC accreditation, with promotional banners displayed prominently. Then came the arrests: Dr Umar un Nabi, the assistant professor allegedly responsible for driving the explosive-laden vehicle; Dr Muzammil Shakil, from whose rental property explosives were discovered; and ultimately the university's founder, Jawed Ahmed Siddiqui, taken into ED custody over alleged "proceeds of crime" totaling Rs 415 crore.

Within days, the institution's public image transformed from "premier medical college" to "alleged white-collar terror hub" in media headlines.

On November 12, Al Falah University's Vice Chancellor, Prof Bhupinder Kaur, released a statement clarifying that the institution had no connection with the arrested individuals beyond their formal employment as faculty members.

Despite becoming central to the blast investigation, university officials confirmed that all 150 MBBS positions for the 2025-26 academic year have been filled. Established with proper approval in 2019, the institution charges considerably lower fees than most private medical colleges - a factor faculty members attribute to its continued high demand despite ongoing investigations.

Rajesh Sharma arrived at the campus gate on his motorcycle with his daughter riding behind him. "Tomorrow, parents will address the media about their concerns. Personally, seeing my daughter become a doctor is my dream. Where can we turn after what's happened? Private colleges have no mid-session vacancies. Government institutions dismiss lateral transfers. My daughter says, 'Papa, leaving now means losing one year; staying risks losing everything if NMC revokes recognition.' What kind of choice is this for a parent?"

When questioned about concerns regarding potentially radicalized students within the university, Rajesh told NDTV, "Not every intellectual harbors radical views. Our aspirations shouldn't be punished for others' wrongdoings. We understand the university's reputation is damaged, but trust can be rebuilt. I have confidence in the values I've instilled in my child."

Al-Falah University has resolved an issue with the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) after displaying an expired accreditation status on its website. In response to NAAC's show-cause notice, the university attributed this to an "oversight" and a "technical glitch in website design," describing it as unintentional, offering an apology, and promptly removing the incorrect information.

NAAC has issued similar notices to 25 additional higher education institutions nationwide for displaying expired accreditation grades. Officials confirmed that no further punitive measures will be taken against Al-Falah University following their corrective actions.

The NMC has permanently removed four doctors connected to the terror module - Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, and Dr Shaheen Shahid - from the Indian Medical Register, prohibiting them from practicing medicine in India. This action followed charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their alleged involvement in the Delhi blast case.

Previously, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) had withdrawn Al-Falah University's membership.

Inside the dormitories, over 600 medical students - many from Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Haryana - cling to one hope: the National Medical Commission (NMC).

"NMC remains our only lifeline now," says Arjun (name changed), a final-year student from Lucknow. "We acknowledge some faculty committed unthinkable acts. Punish them, conduct thorough investigations, but please don't destroy our careers. Transfer us, merge us with another institution, anything - just don't cancel the affiliation without providing a migration option. We implore you. Tomorrow parents will protest outside the gate - not against the university, but for our future."

Even as NIA and police teams search hostel rooms, with the Haryana DGP personally inspecting the premises on Thursday, classes somehow continue.

A senior faculty member still reporting for duty told NDTV confidentially: "We're also fearful because administration remains silent. But we come because abandoning these students now would be the true injustice. Several colleagues have already taken leave from campus."

Meanwhile, Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta has instructed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate how the university became a center for terrorist activities. The team is tasked with gathering detailed information on funding sources for the terror module and the explosives supply chain. Reports are also being compiled regarding the involvement of residents from neighboring villages in the network.

For now, the students oscillate between despair and defiant hope.

The NMC awaits the Haryana government's final decision, along with recommendations from the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of Education, before determining the institution's fate.