Delhi Police have registered an FIR against opposition MPs who visited Jamia Millia Islamia University over alleged trespassing, following a complaint by the university authorities, amid ongoing student protests demanding the restoration of the students’ union.According to news agency ANI, the FIR was registered following the MPs’ visit to the campus to meet students protesting for the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters and other demands.Jamia Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi had accused Congress MPs Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi of entering the campus without authorisation. Rizvi alleged that Masood crossed a wall to enter the premises, while Pratapgarhi broke a lock.The protest began on October 12, with students demanding the restoration of the students’ union and a definite schedule for elections. They have also sought the withdrawal of disciplinary action against students who participated in the agitation.According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Jamia’s last students’ union elections were held in 2005, and the union was dissolved in 2006. The current agitation has also brought attention to student concerns over attendance policies, hostel facilities, scholarships and research stipends.The protests have drawn support from opposition leaders. PTI reported that Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi was detained while travelling to meet the protesting students and was later released. Congress MP Imran Masood was also detained near the university during the agitation.
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The university administration has said a committee is preparing a draft constitution for the students’ union. Registrar Rizvi told ANI that the election schedule would be announced after the draft constitution was submitted. The administration has also said disciplinary cases against students would be reviewed.The controversy has widened following reports of graffiti on campus walls, including the slogan “Free Kashmir”. The university condemned the graffiti, while Masood told ANI that he had denounced the slogan and maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of India.The FIR marks a further escalation in the standoff between the university administration, protesting students and opposition politicians.
