NSUI alleges 2 Jamia students detained by Delhi Police amid stir for student union polls

The NSUI on Wednesday alleged that two of its members were detained by the Delhi Police from Gate No. 4 of Jamia Millia Islamia and taken to an undisclosed location, as the protest demanding restoration of student union elections entered its 17th day.

The Congress-affiliated student organisation identified the detained students as Faizan, NSUI’s Jamia unit president, and Zeeshan, a former national head of the organisation’s social media wing.

In a post on X, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) said the detention came as its members continued their indefinite hunger strike demanding the restoration of student union elections at the university.

“The demand for restoration of student union elections is not a crime! The voices of students cannot be suppressed by taking them into custody. The fight for student rights will continue,” the organisation said.

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Security was stepped up outside the university gates on Wednesday, with senior Delhi Police officials reaching the campus amid reports that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi might visit the protest site.

Some students were also detained and removed from the university premises, police sources said.

The protest demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) continued despite the university’s decision to hold elections within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution.

The protesting students have maintained that the administration must announce a definite date for the polls, which have not been held since 2006, and set a timeline for approving the constitution.

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On Monday, the university issued an order stating that elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution. It also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the agitation and provided for an inquiry into the conduct of security staff.

However, the protesters said the decision fell short of their demands, citing the absence of a deadline for approving the constitution.

University officials on Wednesday shared visuals of broken windows and alleged that students had forcibly entered parts of the campus, damaging surveillance cameras and other university property. The officials did not provide details of any action taken over the alleged damage.

The university had shifted classes across all courses to online mode on October 24, citing concerns over students’ safety and security amid escalating tensions on campus.

An FIR was also registered at Jamia Nagar police station on October 25 against Congress MPs Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi, along with others, following a complaint by university Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi over alleged unauthorised entry and related incidents during the protest.