Students resisted attempts to clear a protest camp, leading to clashes with security personnel
NEW DELHI: Jamia Millia Islamia shut campus and moved classes online from Saturday as student agitation for the restoration of the students' union escalated into fresh clashes with security personnel who allegedly used force to clear hunger-strike camp.Since Oct 12, students have been on a sit-in and hunger strike, which has grown into Jamia's biggest student protest since the anti-CAA agitation. Jamia has not had an elected union since 2006, when it was dissolved following violence. It is one of Delhi's few central universities without an elected union.Videos showed pushing and shoving at Ghalib Lawn between students and security personnel. Protesters were seen making a human chain to prevent those on hunger strike from being taken away after negotiations with university officials failed.
All India Students' Association alleged security personnel attacked protesters and removed tents while talks were on.Jamia said classes were moved online as a precaution for "safety and security" of students while safeguarding academic interests.Efforts to resolve stand-off through dialogue failed, says Jamia universityAISA said the five students on hunger strike were subsequently moved to the political science dept building, Gulistan-e-Ghalib, which has been announced as the new protest site.
Jamia stated its efforts to resolve the stand-off through dialogue had failed. It also advised students against visiting the campus as it will remain closed until further notice.On Friday, the university’s high-level committee (HLC) working on resolving the agitation had urged students to end the hunger strike, stating that the administration had constituted a committee to draft the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) constitution.
The HLC said disciplinary action initiated against protesting students after Oct 12 would be reviewed and recommended a code of conduct and sensitisation training for security personnel, who protesters complained had manhandled them.The HLC maintained it would be premature to announce election dates without a constitution and an electoral mechanism.Students rejected the response, demanding an immediate timeline for union elections and the removal of the chief proctor and security adviser, as well as the withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters.
The demands intensified after protesters were allegedly dragged off campus before dawn on Oct 17. Students said the sit-in and hunger strike would continue.Meanwhile, Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood also visited the campus Friday and addressed protesting students. However, the two were stopped from entering the campus.Masood jumped over the university boundary wall. Both were later detained by police.
The Jamia administration said the visits disturbed the campus environment.
As the protests heated up, graffiti including “Free Kashmir” and “Free Sharjeel Imam”, along with messages targeting RSS, surfaced on campus walls. Protesters denied responsibility for the graffiti. Condemning it, Jamia said such slogans threatened its reputation and 106-year legacy.