JNU row sparks demands for revival campus politics in Jamia

NEW DELHI: At a time when a raging debate about student politics is on in the country in wake of the ongoing JNU row, students of Jamia Millia Islamia are still fighting for their demand for reinstating the students' union, scrapped nine years ago.

Jamia students who have extended their support to JNU where six students have been booked for alleged sedition over an event against hanging of Afzal Guru, believe their solidarity comes from being "toothless" participants.

"We as Jamia students can only help others on individual basis but not collectively as students of a varsity. It is ironical that the varsity finds student politics to be an activity which interferes with academics. We continue to be toothless participants of any protest," a student said on condition of anonymity.

Another student said, "There are examples of students' union in DU and JNU. The entire country is talking about freedom of speech and here we are having a school headmaster approach where there is no scope for activism or raising any demand."

"There is a fear among students that whenever they speak, the administration acts against them. If there is a leader or elected representative, it will be easier for students to communicate their issues to the authorities," the student added.

Jamia students and alumni have written to the Vice- Chancellor and the University Grants Commission repeatedly since elections were "banned" in the university in 2006 after the students' union allegedly "started interfering with the administrative matters of the institution".