JNU fire ignites hopes for Jamia students

While there seems to be a glimmer of hope for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in terms of the students’ union elections, at Jamia Millia Islamia, the elections still remain a big question mark.

While there seems to be a glimmer of hope for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in terms of the students’ union elections, at Jamia Millia Islamia, the elections still remain a big question mark.

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The students union at Jamia was dissolved on March 31, 2006, and since then, the university has not had fresh elections.

“The university is charging a student union fee but has had no union since 2006. Even though the Academic Council — the highest decision-making body of the university — in 2005 had clearly stated that elections should be held, this has not been taken into account,” said Afroz Alam Sahil, member, Forum for Student Democracy.

The university administration had maintained that elections will be held when the “environment is conducive for student elections”.

The Vice-Chancellor, Najeeb Jung, had earlier stated that a committee was looking into the matter and that a decision will be taken only after the committee comes out with the report. No report has been released so far.

Meanwhile, the students have a varying opinion on the election issue. “In principle, every university should have a body that represents the students. In fact, every department should also have a body that looks into the welfare of the students. Five years is a long time and I hope that the verdict on JNU elections is going to have a positive effect on our administration,” said Anant Verma, a second year BTech student at Jamia.

However, according to some students, the union is unnecessary. “I don’t think the students’ union work for the welfare of the students, so there is no point of having a union. In principle, it makes sense but in reality it is irrelevant. The Delhi University Students’ Union is a good example of this,” said Kavita Narayan, a BA student.