New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) Voicing concern over the disruption of academic activities on campus, teachers at Jamia Millia Islamia have accused political actors and outsiders of attempting to escalate the ongoing student protest, which stretched into its 16th day on Tuesday.
The protesting students who are demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), defunct since 2006, rejected the university’s decision to hold elections within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution and opposed the “closure” of campus after classes were shifted online due to the stir.
The protesters are insisting that the administration announce a definite poll date and set a timeline for finalising the constitution.
The CPI(M) affiliated Students’ Federation of India (SFI) alleged that police had imposed prohibitory orders, barricaded campus entry gates and detained students in and around the university.
In a statement, the university said concerns over the campus situation were raised at a meeting of deans, heads of departments, directors of centres and senior officials on October 26 to review the demands of protesting students and the duration of online classes.
Defending the administration’s October 26 order, the teachers said it had taken concrete steps towards restoring the students’ union, the statement said.
The order stated that elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the union’s constitution, revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued during the protest and provided for an inquiry into the conduct of security staff.
The teachers also criticised a social media post by former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, who had invoked Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution in support of students’ right to form a union. They argued that his portrayal of the administration as being in opposition to students’ democratic rights contradicted the measures taken by the university.
According to the teachers, the union was dissolved in 2006 following recurring incidents of violence and attacks on teachers, including the then vice-chancellor.
They said a committee constituted on October 21 to draft the union’s constitution should be given adequate time to examine relevant court orders, the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and applicable university rules.
The teachers also referred to the university’s FIR lodged on October 25 following the alleged unauthorised entry of Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood onto the campus.
The statement alleged that Pratapgarhi entered the premises on October 21 after breaking the lock of Gate No. 4A, while Masood entered on October 23 by scaling a boundary wall near Gafoor Nagar with the help of a ladder.
They also referred to the detention of Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi while he was on his way to the campus and questioned visits by other political leaders without prior intimation to the administration.
The teachers alleged that outsiders had occupied and locked the building housing the Departments of Political Science and Economics since October 24, disrupting academic activities.
The university shifted classes across courses to online mode from October 24 until the Diwali holidays, subject to further review.
The teachers stressed that students and employees were the university’s primary stakeholders and urged outsiders to refrain from actions that could disturb the campus atmosphere or disrupt academic activities.
As protests continued, SFI-Delhi condemned what it described as a crackdown by the university administration and Delhi Police on students and alumni supporting the agitation.
In a statement, the outfit alleged that police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), barricaded campus entry gates and detained students in and around the university.
It also criticised the shift to online classes until November 8 and alleged that students’ access to libraries and reading rooms had been restricted.
The student group urged the administration to engage in dialogue with the protesters and withdraw what it described as measures aimed at suppressing dissent.
The protesting students have opposed the shift to online classes and the closure of campus facilities, saying the measures have caused difficulties for students, particularly women.
“Jamia Administration with the help of Delhi Police is doing everything other than giving students a notice that confirms the Students Union Election. We reject campus closure! We reject online classes! Not an inch back! Restore JMISU!” the SFI, Jamia, said in a social media post.
On Monday, scuffles broke out between protesting students and paramilitary personnel as security was tightened on campus. The university has said online classes will continue till November 8, after which the situation will be reviewed. PTI AHD AHD RT
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