Jamia Millia Islamia sets up panel amid protest; ex-union president backs students

Five students have been on an indefinite hunger strike since October 12, with the administration suspending three protesters and barring one from campus.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) administration on Sunday constituted a seven-member high-level committee to hold discussions with students protesting to demand the restoration of the JMI Students’ Union (JMISU) and the announcement of student union elections, which have not been held at the university since 2006.

Five students have been on a hunger strike demanding restoration of Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) elections. (HT Photo)

JMI has had an elected students’ union for just 13 years in its nearly 105-year history. The union was first formed in 1981-82, and Zubair Khan was its first elected president.

The union was discontinued in 1997 and restored in 2005-06 following nearly a decade of struggle. Shams Perwaiz was elected president before the union was dissolved again in 2006, citing violence and disruption to academic life on campus.

Five students—Ebin Basil, Mohd Jasim Khan, Rehan Haider, Rehan Pawar and Faizan Ali Khan—have been on an indefinite hunger strike since October 12.

Students union list of Jamia Millia Islamia

Perwaiz recalls demands for better campus facilities

Perwaiz recalled his achievements during his tenure, including Internet services in all hostels when it was an expensive facility. “We also demanded 24/7 access to the library. That demand was not fully met, but I do remember that the library hours were extended.”

He added that a Hepatitis B immunisation drive was launched during his tenure. “I had requested the then vice-chancellor, Professor Mushirul Hasan, to make the immunisation free for all students,” he said. “Professor Hasan was very cooperative. He called the JMI medical officer and asked to prepare a proposal for free immunisation,” Perwaiz said, as he looked back on his tenure with a mix of satisfaction over what he achieved and regret over what he could have done had he been given more time.

Former president says union should serve as students’ voice

Perwaiz said university is for students, and a students’ union serves that purpose by being its voice.

“As long as a students’ union is elected through a fair electoral process and its leaders exercise restraint, refrain from violence and do not engage in criminal activities, I fail to understand why a university should not allow it to function,” he said, referring to the ongoing protests for restoring students’ union elections.

The JMI administration has suspended three of the protesting students and barred one from campus for a year and the other two for six months.

Security removes protesters over alleged rule violations

JMI security forcibly removed protesting students, citing violations of the designated protest-site regulations and disruption to academic activities.

Basil, 22, said Aligarh Muslim University’s decision to restore students’ union elections after a decade and the penalisation of students on the JMI campus over the past year were the two key triggers for their hunger strike.