Why students are on strike at 3 universities in Delhi

NEW DELHI:Universities across Delhi are witnessing a fresh wave of student unrest, with hunger strikes emerging as a key form of protest against administrative policies, disciplinary actions and restrictions on student representation and campus access.At Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), an indefinite hunger strike entered its 16th day Monday, while at Jamia Millia Islamia, students demanding the restoration of union elections continued their agitation amid suspensions and rustication. At Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), an indefinite sit-in over campus access and other institutional concerns has escalated, with 11 students suspended.At JNU, the hunger strike began on Oct 3 after a university general body meeting (UGBM) unanimously passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of chief proctor’s office (CPO) manual, which penalises protests on campus; crumbling infrastructure; restoration of Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment; an equal opportunity cell under the proposed Rohith Vemula Act; and an inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities, among other concerns.

Students also demanded the reinstatement of the university’s entrance examination in place of CUET.Eighteen students, including JNUSU office-bearers, began the strike near Sabarmati T-point. They alleged they were denied a medical check-up because some had been rusticated and declared out of bounds. Several were hospitalised, while JNUSU president Aditi Mishra reportedly lost over 6.4 kg and vice-president Gopika Babau 6.2 kg.

Currently, nine students are on hunger strike.The administration, however, said medical check-ups were being conducted twice daily and that a committee held two rounds of discussions with protesters. It said an earlier meeting on Oct 9 had led two groups to end their hunger strikes following assurances, but the latest agitation continued. The university also accused rusticated students of damaging public property worth Rs 20 lakh.At Jamia, the hunger strike began on Oct 12, with students demanding restoration of the union polls, which were dissolved in 2006. Tensions escalated Saturday after protesters alleged security personnel forcibly removed them from campus before dawn. Videos later showed protesters pushing against the university’s entrance gate, resulting in parts of it breaking. The university rusticated one hunger striker for an academic year and suspended two others for six months, barring all three from campus.

Its Zakir Husain and Old libraries remained closed Sunday over security concerns.On Monday, Jamia constituted a seven-member committee to engage with protesters and examine their demands. It cited past incidents of campus violence and said departmental subject-association elections already provide students with a democratic platform.At AUD, the indefinite sit-in began on Sept 28, with students demanding the reopening of the main gate, removal of iron barricades restricting campus access, faculty recruitment, infrastructure improvements, restoration of PhD fee waiver, student representation in decision-making bodies, among other demands.Students said the main gate had remained shut for over a year, forcing them to enter through a back alley. The protest escalated on Oct 13 after a confrontation with security personnel during a screening of a documentary on campus.On Oct 14, the university suspended 11 students, barred them from campus and referred the matter for disciplinary inquiry, citing alleged indiscipline, damage to university property and a scuffle with staff.

AISA, whose student council members were among those suspended, alleged the action was arbitrary and said some students had been suspended despite not being present during the incident. The association also cited previous suspensions of student activists, while demanding the revocation of the latest orders and the reopening of the main gate.