India
oi-Ashish Rana
The demand to revive Jamia Millia Islamia’s students’ union has triggered a fresh confrontation between protesters and the university administration, with hunger strikers alleging that their protest site was dismantled on Saturday. The administration has also ordered all courses to move online, citing campus security concerns.
Jamia Millia Islamia moved all courses online from October 24, citing security concerns amidst student protests demanding the restoration of the dissolved students’ union, with hunger strikers reporting their protest site was dismantled.
The students are seeking the restoration of the union, which was dissolved in 2006. Some protesters have been on hunger strike since 12 October, but discussions with university officials have yet to yield a satisfactory resolution.
University Cites Security Concerns For Online Classes
An official notice issued on 24 October said all courses would be conducted online with immediate effect and would remain so until further notice.
The order, signed by Registrar Mohd Mahtab Alam Rizvi, stated, “In view of the ongoing situation and in order to ensure the safety and security of bonafide students in the university campus, the competent authority, JMI has decided to conduct classes of all courses of the university through online mode with immediate effect until further notice.”
Faculty members have been asked to provide the academic support and learning materials required to continue classes remotely.
Hunger Strikers Allege Protest Site Was Cleared
Videos shared online on Saturday purportedly showed the removal of a protest camp at Gulistan-i-Ghalib garden near Gate No. 7. The footage also appeared to show students being asked to leave the area. The videos could not be independently verified.
Ebin Basil, 22, who has been on hunger strike since 12 October, said a meeting with dozens of professors and the registrar failed to resolve the dispute. He alleged that security guards removed the tent and moved hunger strikers into the Faculty of Economics building.
Basil further claimed that an ambulance was called to detain the protesters, but students gathered outside prevented their detention.
An official source said professors had approached the hunger strikers to persuade them to end their protest because of concerns about their health.
AISA Leader Questions Administration’s Move
Saurabh Tripathi, a protester and Jamia secretary of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), accused the administration of attempting to weaken the agitation by shifting classes online. He said negotiations with a committee formed by the university were still underway.
Another 22-year-old master’s student, who requested anonymity, alleged that the administration’s reference to “bonafide students” risked dividing the student community. The student said protesters had remained peaceful and joined the movement voluntarily.
The university has not announced when in-person classes will resume. Its online teaching order will remain effective until further notice, even as the dispute over the students’ union continues.
