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Jamia community rallies behind students demanding restoration of students' union

By A Representative 
A recent gathering at Saiyadain Manzil backed the hunger strike by Jamia Millia Islamia students demanding the revival of the students' union. Calling for a time-bound process and the withdrawal of punitive action against the protesting students, alumni, descendants of the university's founding families, artists, journalists, lawyers and other citizens stressed the need to restore the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU).
The university has had no elected Students' Union since 2006. Students began a hunger strike on 11 October, demanding the restoration of JMISU, democratic representation in university affairs and protection of students' democratic rights.
Speakers at the gathering included Siddiquur Rahman Kidwai, Syeda Hameed and Sameena Mishra. Student representatives and allied organisations also addressed the meeting: Zeeshan Khan (NSUI), Amir Hyder (AISF), Sanam (SFI), Niranjan (AIRSO), Soumya (AIDSO), Sagar (DISHA) and Dev Desai, managing trustee of ANHAD. They spoke of the students' demands and the importance of democratic participation in university governance.
The gathering followed the events of 17 October, when hunger-striking students were removed from campus by university security personnel and police. Suspension and rustication orders against students followed, according to the organisers. Students have also alleged assault and mistreatment during the action.
Participants said the administration's subsequent response, which has been committee-based, has not offered the clear, time-bound commitment to restoring JMISU that the protesting students seek.
Participants called upon the university administration to:
- Restore an elected JMISU through a clear, time-bound process.
- Withdraw punitive action against protesting students.
They also stressed that students must be able to exercise their right to peaceful protest without intimidation or victimisation, and urged the administration to resolve the crisis through transparent and meaningful dialogue.
The gathering, which drew participants across generations of the Jamia community, reaffirmed that an elected Students' Union is essential to democratic representation, accountability and student participation in university governance.

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