The protest at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, centred on the demand for a democratic platform for students, has now drawn open political backing, with senior Congress leader KC Venugopal describing the issue as one of democratic rights.
Venugopal extends support on social media
Venugopal, a Lok Sabha MP, posted on X that the university's students have been on hunger strike for the past 16 days. He said the students are seeking restoration of their students union so that they have a democratic platform to raise their demands and concerns. He described the demand as linked to the political empowerment of students and called it justified, saying students must have a forum to speak for themselves.
The core demand is restoration of the students union
According to Venugopal, the students want their union restored so that their voice can be heard through an elected, democratic body. He argued that such a platform is essential for students to present their issues to the university. He appealed to the administration to accept the students' demands and bring the standoff to an end.
Allegations against the administration
Venugopal also questioned the university administration's handling of the protest. He alleged that the administration has adopted a strict and repressive approach towards the protesting students. In his post, he claimed that power and water supply to the campus had been cut and that all classes had been moved online. He further alleged that the functioning of the college has been fully affected by the dispute. Venugopal claimed the administration is acting on the directions of the Government of India, and alleged that old tactics are being used to distract the protesters and defame them. These are Venugopal's claims, made in his social media post.
Politics heats up around the protest
With Venugopal expressing solidarity with the students, the dispute over restoration of the students union has returned to the centre of political discussion. He said the matter concerns democratic rights and urged the university administration to accept the students' demands. The protest has already seen police action and political attention earlier, with an FIR registered in connection with demonstrations on the campus.
