Hyderabad: MANUU students begin indefinite strike for restoration of students’ union polls

Hyderabad: Students of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) have started an indefinite strike demanding the immediate restoration of long-delayed Students’ Union elections.

The protest has been called by a collective of students and began on Tuesday in the university campus.

‘Attack on students’ rights’

Research scholar and student leader Swaleh Ansari stated that despite repeated representations and communications throughout the year, the university administration has failed to take students’ demands seriously.

“While elections for teachers’ and staff associations have been conducted, students continue to be denied their democratic right to representation. This selective approach is a blatant attack on student rights, leaving us with no option but to resort to an indefinite dharna,” he said.

‘University threatening police action’

Another student leader, Rafe Azmi, condemned what he described as intimidation by the administration. He pointed out that the university proctor issued a notice late Monday night threatening to lodge FIRs against students allegedly disturbing campus peace.

“From the very beginning, we have clearly stated that our protest is peaceful, democratic and non-disruptive. Despite this, the administration is leaving no stone unturned to threaten and intimidate students instead of engaging in dialogue,” he added.

The protesting students reiterated that their agitation will continue until the administration officially notifies the Students’ Union elections. They also emphasised that any dialogue with the authorities must be transparent and held in the presence of students.

The students have appealed to the wider academic community, including teaching and non-teaching staff, civil society and democratic voices, to stand in solidarity with their just demand for the restoration of student representation and democratic functioning on campus.