New Delhi: Tensions prevailed at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Monday, as protesting students rejected an order passed after a meeting with the university administration.
The prevailing situation unfolded as five university students went on hunger strike on Oct 12, demanding that students’ union elections, suspended since 2006, be held immediately. Around 40 students were detained. The university also announced that second mid-term semester examinations will be conducted online.
An agreement between the administration and students, signed by both parties, said that if the demands were met, the protest will be called off and a public apology will be issued for “defamatory” statements issued against the university. A celebration broke out and at 4.30am, the administration issued an order which said student elections would be held after 15 days from the “date of approval of the constitution of the students’ union of JMI”. It also said show-cause notices and suspensions issued during the protest would be revoked. The order also mentioned that protesters will issue a public apology and end the protest “immediately”, as mentioned in the agreement. The students on hunger strike said they were issued fresh notices by the university Monday evening stating it was their “last warning” and that they would face “disciplinary and legal action” if they do not end the agitation. The university administration said they had held up their end of the bargain. It is surprising that the hunger strike has resumed despite the university accepting their demands,” a university official told TOI , questioning the “motive” behind the agitation.
As the protest gathered steam, JMI administration shifted classes online and shut libraries and canteens. Some hostellers alleged they were asked to vacate their rooms. A meeting between the protesters and the JMI administration Sunday night presented hope for a resolution. The order added that a committee will be constituted to inquire about the alleged use of force by the security staff. Confrontation between Delhi Police personnel and protestors continued Monday, with several students breaking the university gates to enter the campus. “As a central university, we held discussions with the students and reached an agreement, under which they had agreed to call off the protest.