Jamia forms high-level committee to interact with protesting students, restore normalcy on campus

Days after the student protests at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) started over the alleged assault of students by the security guards and demands for the restoration of the students’ union, the JMI administration has formed a seven-member committee to interact with students.

The high-level committee will hear their grievances and help restore normalcy on campus, according to an official order issued by the JMI registrar.

The committee comprises deans and faculty members from various departments, including humanities and languages, life sciences, social sciences, student welfare and academic affairs.

Also read ‘Part of Education’: Karnataka universities, colleges brace for first students’ union elections in 37 years

Jamia last held university students' elections in 2006

“The Dean, Students Welfare, JMI, shall convene the meeting of the above Committee and submit its report to the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, JMI, at the earliest,” the official order read.

On October 13, three JMI students began a hunger strike, demanding the restoration of the JMI Students’ Union (JMISU) and student representation in campus decision-making.

Later, in a few days time, the agitation intensified, following unrest at the campus. The students’ group alleged that the university admin has used force against them and demanded action against the university officials.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) also alleged that students participating in the hunger strike had been removed from the campus and the protesters were suspended.

The AISA demanded the withdrawal of disciplinary action against the students and the restoration of students’ union elections.

In addition, JMI has not held students’ union elections since 2006. The protest at the university comes just days after the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) administration agreed to hold students’ union elections, which will be held nearly after eight years.