University crackdown on protesting students sparks outcry at MANUU
The Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) administration has taken severe punitive measures against students who participated in protests over unhygienic mess conditions.
The Proctor's office, on 10 December, issued an order expelling several students from hostels, barring them from future admissions, and requiring them to sign undertakings under the MANUU Students Conduct & Discipline Rules, 2014. Additionally, 13 students were served notices under BNSS (Section 35(6)) with police involvement, escalating tensions on campus.
The protests were held in September and the demonstrations were sparked by grievances over the poor quality of food in the campus mess, which students claimed had remained unresolved despite repeated complaints. The protest, which began on September 19, saw students gathering in front of the administration block. While the administration initially assured students of a meeting to address their concerns, the escalation into punitive actions has drawn widespread criticism.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) strongly condemned the administration’s actions, calling them "draconian" and "authoritarian." AISA criticized the measures for undermining the democratic ethos of university spaces, stating:
"Protests are a legitimate form of expression and resistance, especially within campuses that should nurture critical thought and dissent. This order criminalizes student activism, stifles dialogue, and disregards the fundamental principles of justice by imposing disproportionate punishments without adequate transparency or accountability."
The statement further linked the crackdown to a broader pattern of silencing dissent under the Modi Government, emphasizing the need to safeguard campus democracy and freedom of expression.
The All India Azad Students' League (AIASL) echoed similar sentiments, decrying the administration's approach as unjust and discriminatory. Highlighting the socio-economic background of many MANUU students, the AIASL pointed out the disproportionate impact of the punitive measures, especially on marginalized students.
"The majority of MANUU students come from marginalized communities, facing significant challenges in pursuing education away from home. Forcing students to vacate hostels and banning them from admissions severely impacts their academic and career prospects," the statement read.
AIASL also noted, was the targeting of female students and the involvement of police in what should have been an internal university matter. They demanded the administration reverse its decisions and engage in meaningful dialogue with the student body.
The MANUU Students' Collective also issued a statement condemning the punitive actions as an attempt to silence dissent. They criticized the cancellation of the Students' Union elections and the filing of FIRs against some students, labeling these actions as threats to the university's democratic and autonomous character.
"The cancellation of the Students' Union elections, along with the involvement of police in university affairs and lodging an FIR against some students, is deeply alarming. Such actions undermine the democratic ethos and jeopardize the autonomy of the university," the statement asserted.
The initial protests were triggered by widespread dissatisfaction with the mess conditions, which students claimed were unhygienic and unaddressed despite repeated complaints.
