Students at Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi continue their protests, demanding time-bound elections for the student union and addressing other concerns. Several key developments have occurred since October 16.
The continuation of protests by students at Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi was reported by Hindustan Times on Monday, as they demanded time-bound elections to the students’ union. The university has not held student union elections since 2006.
On October 16, the university took disciplinary actions against some of the protesting students. One student was rusticated, two were suspended, and all three were banned from entering the campus for a year. However, these actions did not address all the demands of the students, who also alleged that they had been pressured into signing an agreement early in the morning.
In response to the ongoing protests, the university administration announced on Monday that student union elections would be held within 15 days of the union’s constitution being approved. The administration also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest and said a committee would be formed to investigate the conduct of security personnel during the agitation.
Despite these developments, two students, Ebin Basil and Rehan Khan, continued their hunger strike on the 15th day over the lack of clarity in the university’s order. They demanded that the chief proctor resign from his post and objected to a condition recorded in the university’s order requiring protesters to issue a ‘public apology’ at a press conference for allegedly defamatory statements, actions or social media posts directed at the administration during the agitation.
As of Monday evening, access to the protest site through Gate 7 and nearby gates remained restricted. Students alleged that they were not being allowed to bring food or water inside, while police personnel made repeated announcements over loudspeakers asking students to vacate the campus and nearby areas.
On Wednesday, the university had constituted a five-member committee to draft the students’ union constitution. The committee has been asked to examine the circumstances surrounding the union’s dissolution in 2006, relevant court rulings, and the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. It is expected to submit a draft constitution by December 20.
Separately, two Congress MPs, Lok Sabha member Imran Masood and Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, were booked for ‘trespassing’ after visiting the campus during the protests on Friday.
Source:
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