New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) students continued to protest on Saturday, October 24, announcing they wouldn’t relent unless all their demands were met, while the varsity moved to an online mode of teaching.
Sharing a press release on X, JMI said, “First, the employees resolved to urge the protesters to vacate the protest site and call off their agitation to restore peace and normalcy on campus…and second, faculty and staff resolved to repaint the defaced walls and cover slogans they described as highly condemnable and detrimental to the nation’s integrity, security and sovereignty.”
The note also said that the staff approached the protesters and urged them to vacate the site. However, they were “shouting that the faculty should ‘go back’ and suddenly began pushing security guards, staff and teachers, refusing to heed repeated appeals from senior faculty members, even after their demands had been met earlier this week”.
Hence, JMI has decided that “classes across all courses would be conducted online with immediate effect. The decision was taken in view of the prevailing situation and to ensure the safety and security of the university’s bona fide students.”
Students’ demands
Meanwhile, according to Maktoob Media, the Movement for Restoration of JMI Students’ Union said the administration’s response, through its High Level Committee (HLC), has been “partial, delayed, and in places misleading”.
The students are demanding a JMISU election notification and a date for the elections. They have demanded the revocation of disciplinary action against protesters, along with an assurance that no action will be taken against them. They have also sought the removal or resignation of the Chief Proctor and the Security Advisor.
Earlier, on Friday, ten people, including Congress MP Imran Masood, were detained by Delhi Police near JMI amid an ongoing protest for restoration of the university’s students’ union, officials said.
The university has also faced flak over controversial graffiti on its walls amid the protest.
The agitation began on October 12, with protesters demanding an official notification announcing a schedule for the students’ union elections. The last elections were held in 2005, and the union was dissolved in 2006.
With PTI inputs
Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS.
Source: The Siasat Daily
