Jamia teachers allege political interference in student union protest

NEW DELHI: Voicing concern over 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, according to a university statement issued on Tuesday. The university said the concerns were raised at a meeting of deans, heads of departments, directors of centres and senior officials on October 26 to assess the situation, review online classes and discuss the demands of protesting students.

The teachers defended the Jamia administration's October 26 order, which stated that student union elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the union's constitution. The order also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest and provided for an inquiry into the conduct of security staff.

They criticised a Facebook post by former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, who had cited Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution in support of students' right to form a union, saying his portrayal of the administration as opposed to students' democratic rights contradicted the steps taken by the university, according to the statement. The teachers said the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) was dissolved in 2006 following recurring incidents of violence and attacks on teachers, including the then vice-chancellor.

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They claimed the current administration was the first in two decades to take concrete steps towards restoring the union. A committee to draft the union's constitution was constituted on October 21 and should be given adequate time to examine relevant court orders, the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and applicable university ordinances and statutes, they said. The teachers also expressed concern over what they described as attempts by political parties to turn an internal university matter into a larger political confrontation.

According to the statement, the university lodged an FIR on October 25 following the alleged unauthorised entry of Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood onto the campus. It 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. The teachers also referred to the detention of Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi while he was on his way to the campus and visits by other political leaders without prior intimation to the administration.

They further alleged that people from outside the university had occupied and locked the building housing the Departments of Political Science and Economics since October 24. The university shifted classes across courses to online mode from October 24 until the Diwali holidays, subject to further review, amid tensions on campus. The teachers also questioned the timing and intent of a press conference held on Monday by a group of alumni, members of Jamia's founding families, artists, journalists, lawyers and other citizens in support of the protesting students.

Reiterating that the university's students and employees were its primary stakeholders, the teachers urged outsiders to refrain from actions that could disturb the campus atmosphere and disrupt academic activities. The student protest, which entered its 16th day on Tuesday, is demanding the restoration of the students' union and a definite timeline for elections.