Delhi Police detained Congress MP Imran Masood on Friday, October 23, after he arrived at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi to express solidarity with students demanding the restoration of the elected students’ union. The incident occurred amid an ongoing protest that has drawn political attention and intensified debate over student representation, campus discipline and freedom of expression.
The demonstration began on October 12, with students demanding an official announcement of the election schedule for the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union. The university has been without an elected students’ union since 2006, when the body was dissolved. Its last elections were held in 2005.
Masood’s detention added a political dimension to the agitation, which has continued despite discussions about administrative measures to address the students’ demands.
Why Are Jamia Students Protesting?
The central demand of the protesters is the restoration of the students’ union and the announcement of a clear timetable for elections. Students argue that an elected representative body would give them a formal platform to raise concerns about academic facilities, attendance policies, hostel conditions, scholarships and research stipends.
Some students have also demanded the withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters. An indefinite hunger strike began on October 12, while student organisations and supporters have joined demonstrations calling for a resolution.
The university administration has formed a committee to draft a new constitution for the students’ union. However, protesters maintain that the immediate priority should be an official notification outlining when elections will take place.
The continuing disagreement has kept tensions high on campus, with students insisting that a defined election schedule is necessary to restore democratic representation.
Congress MP Questions University Administration
During his visit, Masood expressed support for the students and questioned why the university had not restored the elected union. He described the protesters as young people whose concerns deserved to be addressed through dialogue.
The Congress MP also addressed a controversy surrounding posters and slogans reportedly found on campus walls, including references to Kashmir and jailed activist Sharjeel Imam.
Masood distanced himself from slogans advocating the division of India and stated that Kashmir was an integral part of the country. He argued that the controversy should not be used to derail the students’ demand for union elections.
The posters have become a separate point of contention, with authorities and university officials examining the matter. The circumstances surrounding the appearance of the slogans, including who was responsible, remain subject to investigation.
Samajwadi Party MP Also Detained
The incident also involved Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, who was detained while attempting to meet the protesting students. Nadvi, a Jamia alumnus, alleged that police personnel pushed and manhandled him before taking him into custody. He was subsequently released.
Delhi Police said the MPs were detained outside the university while attempting to join the protest without permission. Officials described the action as preventive detention amid heightened security around the campus.
Reports also indicated that several other people were detained in connection with the demonstrations. The police action prompted further criticism from supporters of the student movement.
What Happens Next?
The immediate question is whether the university administration will announce a concrete schedule for student-union elections and address the protesters’ other concerns.
Political representatives and student organisations have called for dialogue and a time-bound resolution. Meanwhile, the university faces pressure to balance campus security, disciplinary procedures and students’ demands for representation.
The controversy surrounding the posters has added complexity to the situation, but the principal demand behind the agitation remains the restoration of the elected students’ union.
As the protest continues, developments at Jamia Millia Islamia are likely to remain under scrutiny, particularly regarding the administration’s response and the handling of demonstrations on campus.
