Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union Protests Enter 13th Day
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia continue their protests demanding the restoration of the student union, leading to heightened tensions on campus.
Protests for the restoration of the student union have been ongoing for 13 days.
The university has moved classes online due to safety concerns amid the protests.
Allegations of provocative slogans have intensified the conflict between students and administration.
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have been actively protesting for the past two weeks, advocating for the reinstatement of their student union, which was disbanded in 2006. The protests reached a critical point on Saturday as they entered their 13th day, prompting the university administration to shift classes online, citing safety concerns for students amidst the ongoing unrest.
The protests began on October 12, when five students initiated an indefinite hunger strike to demand the revival of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU). Tensions escalated after allegations surfaced that slogans advocating for 'Free Kashmir' were chanted on campus. Both students and Congress leader Imran Masood, who visited the protesters, denied these claims, asserting that no such slogans were raised.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) has accused the university administration of using excessive force against students during negotiations. Reports indicated that security personnel dismantled protest camps and attempted to forcibly remove hunger strikers from the site. One hunger striker, Jasim Ali Khan, criticized the administration's actions, demanding the reversal of student suspensions and an end to the crackdown on protests.
The situation has drawn attention from various political figures, with VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal alleging that anti-national graffiti was found on campus. However, these claims were dismissed by Masood, who emphasized that the protests were peaceful and that the administration should investigate the source of the graffiti. Students have expressed concern that such narratives could undermine their movement, insisting that their protests have remained non-violent.
In light of the ongoing protests, the university has canceled its 106th Foundation Day celebrations, traditionally held from October 29 to November 1. The administration has also temporarily closed the Dr. Zakir Husain Library and established a committee to engage with the protesting students. As the situation develops, the university faces pressure to address student demands and restore normalcy on campus.
