FIR against two Congress MPs for 'trespass' amid Jamia student protests

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Congress MPs Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi for alleged trespassing at Jamia Millia Islamia University amid continuing protests demanding the restoration of the students' union, officials said on Sunday.

The case was registered following a formal complaint by the university administration, which accused the two parliamentarians and others of entering the campus without authorisation and allegedly inciting unrest during the ongoing agitation.

Masood is a Lok Sabha MP, while Pratapgarhi is a Rajya Sabha member. The police action comes as students continue their protest, which began on October 12, demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) and the resumption of elections.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀

The agitation entered its 14th day on Sunday, with four students continuing their hunger strike and around 200 protesters reportedly remaining inside the university campus.

Heavy police deployment was reported around the university, particularly near Gate No 7, where access to the protest site and adjoining entrances was restricted.

Police personnel made repeated announcements asking students to vacate the campus premises and nearby footpaths. Protesters alleged that they were being prevented from entering the university and carrying food and water to those participating in the demonstration.

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) also alleged that several students were detained outside Gate No 7. The allegations came amid growing tensions between protesters and the administration over restrictions imposed on campus activities.

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

On Saturday, the university administration announced that classes across all courses would be conducted online with immediate effect until further notice, citing concerns over students' safety and security.

The decision was accompanied by restrictions on access to university facilities, including the library, canteens and main entry gates.

However, protesting students questioned the move, alleging that the administration was attempting to weaken their agitation by restricting access to the campus.

Student Mohammad Ayan Khan claimed that the decision would affect students preparing for examinations and accused the administration of failing to address complaints concerning campus governance.

He alleged that corruption, favouritism and bullying had increased in the university and argued that an elected students' union was necessary to provide students with a formal platform to raise grievances.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗿

Meanwhile, more than 1,500 teaching and non-teaching staff members, along with Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif and Registrar Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, convened a meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation.

The administration said university officials and staff had approached the protesting students and appealed to them to end the agitation and restore normal academic activities.

According to the university, the appeal followed four rounds of discussions between students and a seven-member committee constituted to address their demands.

The administration alleged that some protesters pushed security guards, teachers and other staff members during attempts to persuade them to leave the protest site. Student organisations, however, accused university authorities of using force against demonstrators and removing their protest tents.

The university has maintained that Gate No 18 is the designated location for demonstrations and that the occupation of the Gulistan-e-Ghalib lawns near Gate No 7 was unauthorised.

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

The Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union was suspended in 2006 following incidents of campus violence and disruptions to academic activities.

The university administration has constituted a committee to draft a constitution for the proposed students' union, but protesters have demanded a definite election schedule during the current semester.

The SFI has also sought student representation on the constitution-drafting committee, withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters and the resignation of the chief proctor and security adviser over allegations of excessive force.

The university has said it would review disciplinary proceedings connected with the October 12 protest.

With the students continuing their hunger strike and the administration maintaining restrictions on campus access, the dispute remains unresolved despite repeated rounds of discussions.