The protest intensified on the demand of student union elections in Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University. Despite the gates being closed, students kept trying to enter the campus. The administration made classes online and increased security.
New Delhi: The ongoing protest demanding holding of student union elections in Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University intensified on Sunday, October 25. Despite all the gates of the university being closed, a large number of students gathered outside the campus. Some students tried to enter inside by jumping over the gate and wall. During this period there was an argument between the police and the protesters. A large number of security personnel were deployed in and around the university campus.
Students have been demanding reinstatement of the student union for almost two weeks. Following the dispute between protesters and university staff on Saturday, the administration had ordered all classes to be online. Libraries were also closed.
When they found the gate closed, the students jumped over the wall and reached inside.
Since Sunday morning, a crowd of students had started gathering outside Gate number 7 of Jamia. The police had put up barricades on the main roads and there were restrictions on movement in and out of the campus. The students said that they want to enter their own university, but they are being stopped. Some students climbed the gate and many crossed the wall and reached inside.
During this time the police also detained some people. The students participating in the protest alleged that the security personnel manhandled them. However, all these allegations have not been confirmed by the police and university administration.
Demand to reinstate student union from October 12
Protests are going on in Jamia since October 12 demanding student union elections. Some students are also sitting on hunger strike. He says that student union elections have not been held in the university for a long time.
The last elections of Jamia Millia Islamia Students Union were held in 2005. The student union was dissolved in the year 2006. After this the elections could not be started again.
The protesting students say that due to the absence of a student union, their problems are not able to reach the university administration properly. They want elected representatives to resolve their complaints regarding fees, hostels, library and other facilities.
Allegation of shutting off water and electricity, problem in hostel also
The atmosphere on the campus had worsened after attempts were made to remove the protesters on Saturday. The students allege that electricity and water facilities were switched off at the protest site.
He says that even food and drinking water from outside were not being allowed inside. Some girl students living in the hostel complained of being pressurized to vacate their rooms.
According to the students, studies and daily work are being affected in this situation. However, the university administration has a different stand on these allegations.
Administration said- decision taken for the safety of students
The university administration had issued a notice on Saturday, October 24, deciding to run classes for all courses online till further orders. The administration says that this step has been taken for the safety of the students present on the campus and to continue their studies. According to the university, the protesters were protesting at Gulistan-e-Ghalib Lawn instead of the designated place. Officials and teachers had talked to them and appealed to end the protest, but no consensus could be reached.
The students alleged that the staff tried to remove their tent and forcibly take the students on hunger strike to the hospital. The administration denied these allegations and accused the students of scuffling with the staff.
Administration gave orders to hold elections on 26th October
On Monday, October 26, this controversy took a new turn. The university administration issued a written order asking for elections to be held 15 days after the constitution of the student union was approved. Apart from this, it was also decided to withdraw the suspension and show cause notices given to the students during the protest. There was talk of forming a committee to investigate the behavior of security personnel.
However, some protesting students objected to this order. He says that the date of elections has not been decided yet. It has also not been made clear when the Constitution will be approved. Students have also raised questions on the condition of public apology from the administration.
Meanwhile, in some reports, it has been reported that an agreement has been reached between the students and the administration and the movement has ended, while in other reports, it has been revealed that some students are continuing their protest.