Student Union: Rehan Khan, a Master’s student in Social Work, sat on the floor of the Political Science building on Saturday. Dressed in a dark green T-shirt and grey trousers, he appeared visibly exhausted and weak. It was his 12th day without food or drink.
“The kind of oppression we have faced is what has brought us to this point,” they said. “When we approached the administration with a simple request, such as getting a water cooler repaired, they ignored us, scolded us, and dismissed our demand.” That is why I decided to go on a hunger strike and demand proper representation for the students.”
Restoration of the Student Union
Across the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia University, this same demand was inscribed on the walls. A new piece of graffiti depicted green and red hands raised together, accompanied by the words: “JMISU Revival” (restoration of the student union). On another wall, the word “Inquilab” (revolution) was painted.
By Saturday afternoon, around 500 students had gathered in small groups near the Political Science department, around Gulistan-e-Ghalib and the Express Canteen. They were chanting slogans, discussing future plans, and drinking tea. As rumors of a potential crackdown spread, the students’ resolve only grew stronger.
On Sunday, as the standoff entered its 13th day, the Jamia administration moved all classes online. That morning, security personnel locked the university’s main entry and exit gates, and approximately 300 police officers were deployed outside. This is the largest student protest at Jamia since the demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. “We have locked ourselves inside.”
Five students are on a hunger strike: Ebin Basil, Jasim Khan, Rida Naushad Khan, Rehan Khan, and Rehan Haider. Jasim is studying West Asian Studies, Rida is studying Geography, and Rehan Haider is studying International Relations. On Saturday, many of these students were sitting quietly, with clear signs of exhaustion visible on their faces.
Ebin, a third-year law student, sat barefoot on the stairs; it was his 12th day without food or drink. “We have locked ourselves inside the Political Science building so that the administration cannot remove us,” he said. He added, “I lost my slippers during a scuffle.”
He mentioned that disciplinary action has been initiated against all the students participating in the hunger strike. “I have received a notice of rustication (expulsion) from the university for one year, and Rehan for six months,” he stated.
Ebin remarked that a student union can raise issues that are often overlooked by mainstream organisations. “Since the CAA-NRC protests, they have tightened their grip on us. They do not want any voice of dissent or any strong opposition to emerge from the heart of Delhi,” he said, adding, “But this is an internal matter of our university.” “A student union is an internal university matter, and there should be no interference from the government or the police. If DU and JNU can have student unions, why can’t we?”
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