Jamia students vs cops as protest continues, 4 on hunger strike for 13 days

Tensions escalated at Jamia Millia Islamia as Delhi Police cleared protesting students from outside Gate No 7 amid an ongoing agitation demanding the restoration of students' union elections, while demonstrators inside the university continued raising slogans.

The police action on Saturday came as students persisted with their demand for elected representation on campus, amid a separate controversy over graffiti carrying slogans such as "Free Kashmir" and "Release Sharjeel Imam".

Women police personnel attempted to remove female protesters gathered outside Gate No 7 before the area was cleared of both male and female students. However, demonstrations continued inside the campus.

The university has witnessed protests since October 12, when students launched an indefinite hunger strike seeking an official notification announcing the schedule for students' union elections.

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀

The situation became politically contentious after slogans supporting Kashmir separatism and the release of Sharjeel Imam appeared on university walls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded that the Congress clarify its position on the slogans after Congress MP Imran Masood visited the university on Friday to express solidarity with the protesting students.

Masood was subsequently detained by Delhi Police near the campus.

Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned the Congress leader's presence at the university while the controversial slogans were visible on campus walls.

Imam is in judicial custody in connection with a case related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots. He was arrested in August 2020 and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘀

The university administration condemned the defacement of campus walls and alleged attacks on security personnel.

Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif, Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi and members of the teaching and non-teaching staff criticised the incidents during discussions on Saturday.

The administration described the graffiti as damaging to the institution's dignity and the country's sovereignty.

University authorities also expressed concern over the continuing demonstrations and their impact on academic activities.

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

Amid the escalating confrontation, Jamia announced that classes across all courses would be conducted online with immediate effect until further notice.

The administration cited the prevailing situation and the need to ensure students' safety.

Security was tightened around the university, with a heavy police presence reported outside the campus.

On Sunday, the agitation continued, with four students reportedly remaining on hunger strike and around 200 protesters present inside the university. Access through Gate No 7 and nearby entrances remained restricted.

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲

The Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union has remained suspended since 2006, following incidents of campus violence. The last union elections were held in 2005.

Protesting students have demanded the restoration of the union and a formal announcement of election dates, arguing that the prolonged absence of elected representatives has deprived them of a democratic platform to raise their concerns.

The university has constituted a committee to draft a constitution for the students' union. However, the protesters have maintained that the administration must announce a definite timeline for elections.

The administration has said that decisions concerning student representation must comply with the Jamia Act, university statutes and ordinances, applicable court orders and the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

With negotiations yet to resolve the dispute, the standoff between students and university authorities continues.