Jamia student protest: University issues notice to female hostel resident over alleged misuse of emergency leave

Jamia Millia Islamia has issued a showcause notice to a female hostel resident for allegedly obtaining emergency leave on misleading grounds and participating in a student protest demanding the restoration of the universityrsquos studentsrsquo union which has remained dissolved since 2006Issued by the provost of Begum Hazrat Mahal Girlsrsquo Hostel on Tuesday the notice directed the student to submit a written explanation within 24 hours It warned that failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to disciplinary action PTI reportedThe development comes amid 18 days of protests on campus over demands to restore the Jamia Millia Islamia Studentsrsquo Union JMISU and announce an election scheduleHostel resident accused of misusing emergency leaveThe showcause notice alleged that the student obtained emergency leave on false or misleading grounds but was later found staying at or participating in the protest site It described the alleged conduct as a breach of hostel discipline and hostel rulesThe student was asked to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against her for allegedly misusing emergency leaveA notice circulated by the hostelrsquos discipline committee and shared by Jamia students said residents had been directed to take compulsory leave by November 1 following the shift to online academic activitiesThe committee said it had raised studentsrsquo concerns with the provost but was informed that the instructions had come from higher authorities It added that similar leave instructions would be implemented in other girlsrsquo hostelsJamia extends online classes shifts examinationsThe university has extended online classes until November 24 and shifted its oddsemester examinations to online mode citing concerns over the prevailing campus situation and studentsrsquo safety and security Classes had earlier been moved online until November 8 PTI reportedIn an order dated October 28 the university said a meeting of deans heads of departments directors and other officials had assessed the campus situation and concluded that physical classes were not conducive to academic activitiesAccording to the revised schedule practical fieldwork project viva and minor project examinations will be held online from November 25 to November 30 Endsemester theory examinations are scheduled from December 1 to December 24Winter vacation will run from December 25 to January 12 2027 while evensemester classes are scheduled to begin on January 13Students continue protest over union electionsThe protests have continued despite a university order issued on Monday stating that studentsrsquo union elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the unionrsquos constitutionThe order also revoked suspension and showcause notices issued to students during the agitation and provided for a committee to investigate the conduct of security staff during the protestsHowever students said the decision fell short of their demands questioning the absence of a deadline for approving the unionrsquos constitutionAccording to teachers the union was dissolved in 2006 following recurring incidents of violence and attacks on teachers including the then vicechancellor PTI reportedThe university administration has also alleged widespread vandalism on campus claiming that gates and CCTV systems were damaged overnight during the agitationWith PTI inputs