Jamia Protest Succeeds; Student Union Formation Approved

New Delhi: Students at Jamia Millia Islamia University have won their protest after a two-week hunger strike, with the university administration agreeing to restore the students’ union and hold elections within 15 days after approving its constitution. The authorities also assured students that all actions taken against them would be withdrawn. Following the agreement, the students ended their hunger strike.

The protest, which began on October 12, was settled following talks with university authorities on Monday morning. Five students had been on hunger strike demanding the restoration of the students’ union. They pointed out that the university had been without a students’ union for 20 years and said a representative body was essential to raise student concerns and protect their rights.

Restrictions imposed on the campus during the protest, the shift to online classes and the closure of the main gates and library had triggered further student protests. The protesters also alleged that hostel seats were being sold for profit and that Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif was not intervening to address student grievances. They said no action had been taken despite complaints against some teachers who had allegedly joined their posts bypassing protocols.

The Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) was dissolved in 2006. The administration agreed to hold talks only after the protest demanding the union’s restoration entered its second week.

Following a meeting of university officials led by the vice-chancellor and registrar, the protesting students were asked to vacate their protest site. However, they had maintained that the agitation would continue until their democratic rights were secured.