New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has formed a seven-member committee to negotiate with students protesting for the reinstatement of student union elections. Student union elections were discontinued at the university following violent incidents in 2006. This decision was challenged several times in the Delhi High Court, but no directive was issued to hold elections.
Jamia’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Saima Saeed, said in a statement on Monday that Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif has tasked this committee, comprising deans and professors, with considering the students’ demands and taking necessary steps to restore peace and ensure normalcy on campus.
Students on hunger strike since October 12th
According to Saima Saeed, the decision to form the committee was taken after a meeting of senior university officials on Sunday evening. The meeting discussed the demands for which the students are staging hunger strikes and protests.
A group of Jamia students began a hunger strike on October 12th. Their main demands include the reinstatement of student union elections and the revocation of the alleged suspension of students involved in the protests.
The meeting held on Sunday was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif. It was attended by Registrar Md. Mehtab Alam Rizvi, Controller of Examinations Ehtashamul Haq, Deans of various faculties, Dean of Student Welfare, Dean of Academic Affairs, Chief Proctor, Provosts of all hostels, Chief Public Relations Officer, and other officials.
Elections were discontinued in 2006 after violent incidents
According to the university administration, student union elections were discontinued in 2006 following repeated incidents of violent clashes, attacks on teachers, and disruption of classes.
Jamia said in a statement that the courts did not direct the university to hold elections due to the campus’s past record of violence and frequent disruptions of academic activities.
According to the university, in 2022, the Delhi High Court accepted the arguments and submissions of Jamia’s standing counsel and settled the matter. At that time, the court did not issue any direction to hold student union elections.
However, the university administration stated that the current administration, which will take office in October 2024, is committed to finding an amicable solution to this nearly two-decade-long dispute.
Student Association Elections in Departments
The Jamia administration stated that each department and center of the university has a system for subject-based student association elections. Under this system, students elect three office bearers—Vice President, General Secretary, and Joint Secretary—through secret ballot.
According to the university, this system has been working for students for several years.
The administration stated that cooperation from all stakeholders is essential to maintain peace and harmony on campus and ensure a conducive academic environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The university has also appealed to the students and other stakeholders to work together towards maintaining the reputation and national and international ranking of the 106-year-old institution.