Jamia students protest eviction notices to 3 women hostellers; university calls it ‘misrepresentation'

Students of Jamia Millia Islamia staged a protest on September 24 against eviction notices allegedly issued to three women hostellers. Several student organisations are demanding that the university must withdraw the notices. The protest was held at the Central Canteen inside gate number 7, with the participating groups describing the action as a demonstration against the “administrative penalisation” of students for raising concerns.

A protest poster circulated by NSUI JMI called for students to join the demonstration and alleged that students were being punished for “rising voice”. It also demanded an end to hostel expulsions and said the protest was being held in solidarity with the affected students.

According to a statement issued by AISA, the protest was organised by AISA along with AIRSO, Fraternity Movement, MSF, NSUI, SFI and SIO. The student organisations alleged that the eviction notices were issued after women hostellers raised concerns over the quality of food and basic living conditions in the hostel.

The student groups claimed that instead of addressing the concerns raised by the hostellers, the university administration was targeting students who had spoken about basic amenities. They demanded that the notices be withdrawn.

“If these arbitrary notices are not withdrawn immediately, we will be forced to intensify this struggle across the campus,” AISA said.

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JMI call it 'misrepresentation'

The university, however, rejected allegations as a case of “misrepresentation” and said the notices were related to hostel eligibility criteria rather than being an action against students for protesting.

A university official said the results of redressal cases involving several students were declared two days ago, following which three students were found not to have met the required criteria for retaining hostel accommodation.

“Hostel rooms are given on the basis of merit, as per the hostel manual,” the official told PTI, adding that the students had failed to meet the prescribed 55 per cent marks criterion.

The official further said the students could seek redressal and obtain the required marks. The university states that three students had been allowed to stay in the hostel for the past two months on sympathetic grounds. The university also clarified that the three students continue to remain enrolled at Jamia Millia Islamia and that the issue concerns their eligibility for hostel accommodation.

(With PTI Inputs)