Delhi Police detained ten people, including Congress Member of Parliament Imran Masood, near the Jamia Millia Islamia campus on Friday. The detentions occurred amidst an ongoing agitation by students who are demanding the restoration of the university's student union and the announcement of a formal election schedule. The protest movement, which has gained momentum over the past week, seeks to revive an elected student body that has been absent from the institution for nearly two decades.
The agitation originally began on October 12. Since then, students have been calling for an official notification from the university administration regarding the timeline for the next student union elections. Records indicate that the last elections for the university’s student representative body were held in 2005. Following this period, the union was dissolved in 2006, leaving a significant gap in the representation of student interests through a formal, elected mechanism. While the current protesters remain steadfast in their demand for the immediate restoration of the union, the university administration has stated that it has instead formed a committee tasked with drafting a new constitution for the student body.
The atmosphere on the campus has remained tense for several days. On October 17, the situation intensified when university authorities attempted to remove demonstrators from the Ghalib lawn, located near Gate No 7. The incident triggered further unrest, and the movement has since garnered support from various student organisations. As the deadlock continues, the administration has expressed strong disapproval regarding recent protest activities, particularly the appearance of slogans such as "VC go back" on campus walls.
University officials have publicly condemned the graffiti, stating that they are in the process of identifying those responsible for the slogans. In relation to these incidents, officials reported that some CCTV cameras on campus were tampered with, with wiring disconnected or damaged in the specific areas where the slogans were discovered. In response to the growing unrest and the potential for further disruptions, the university has significantly tightened campus security.
Currently, students are subject to strict identity checks before they are permitted to enter various departments and centres within the university premises. The administration maintains that these security measures are necessary to ensure the orderly functioning of the campus and to protect institutional property. As of now, the detained individuals are being processed by the police, while students have vowed to continue their advocacy for the restoration of their representative union.
The standoff highlights a long-standing point of contention between the student body and the university authorities. While students argue that an elected union is essential for the democratic functioning of the institution and the articulation of student grievances, the administration's reliance on a constitution-drafting committee suggests a different approach to governance. As the situation develops, observers are watching closely to see if a dialogue between the stakeholders can resolve the impasse. For now, the campus remains under high security as the administration deals with the aftermath of the recent protests and the ongoing demand for electoral reform.
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