Congress Welcomes Announcement of Student Union Elections at Jamia Millia Islamia
Congress leaders praised the announcement of student union elections at Jamia Millia Islamia, celebrating student resilience and democratic rights.
New Delhi, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Congress party leaders expressed their support for the announcement of student union elections at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi on Friday. Member of Parliament Imran Pratapgarhi stated that this decision marks a victory for the courage and determination of the university’s protesting students. He criticized the administration for attempting to suppress the movement.
Speaking to a news agency, Pratapgarhi said, “This is a triumph for the resolve and bravery of the students protesting at Jamia. I extend my congratulations to all the students. The administration spared no effort to stifle this demonstration. The students’ protests and hunger strikes, along with the support shown by female students, were historic.”
He recounted his visit to the campus to support the students, describing the administration’s actions as childish and absurd. “I was the first to arrive in solidarity with the students, but the accusations leading to an FIR against me were ridiculous. I simply walked into the campus, perhaps they expected me to arrive in a car. I took an auto-rickshaw and entered casually, meeting the students and offering my support before leaving.”
Pratapgarhi also criticized the university administration for the allegations in the FIR against him, noting that they failed to arrest him at the time. “It was laughable to learn days later that an FIR had been filed against me. We will address this in court,” he added.
He alleged that the controversial slogans found on campus were not written by students but were part of a conspiracy involving the administration to tarnish the protest. Despite these efforts, Pratapgarhi affirmed that the administration ultimately had to concede to the students’ peaceful demonstrations.
He mentioned that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has initiated a satyagraha across the country, which he believes will have a positive impact on the students. He congratulated the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) members who participated in the hunger strike.
Congress leader Udit Raj also credited the announcement to the students, particularly those affiliated with the NSUI. “This is the result of the courage and struggle of NSUI students. The administration should not have created unnecessary obstacles. However, they were ultimately compelled to announce the elections,” he stated.
CPM MP John Brittas praised the students for their relentless efforts, calling this decision a significant moment for student democracy in the country. “I salute the students of Jamia. Consider the condition of a major university located in the capital that has been deprived of its basic democratic right to form a union for the past two decades. This is a moment for the entire student community to celebrate,” he said.
