The Jamia hunger strike escalated on Tuesday as three more students joined the protest, taking the number of fasting students to five, while Delhi Police deployed eight companies of additional forces and imposed prohibitory orders around the university in anticipation of a possible march.
The protest is centred on the demand for restoration of the Jamia students’ union by December 20. The union has remained disbanded since 2006. Ebin Basil entered the 16th day of his hunger strike on Tuesday, while Rehan Khan was on the 13th day. Ritik and Altaf joined the fast on Monday, followed by Abuzar on Tuesday.
Protesters said fresh rounds of negotiations with the university administration had taken place, but discussions on their demands were still underway. The supplied report does not indicate that the administration had accepted the demand or announced a resolution.
Delhi Police increased security around the university after receiving information about a possible protest march. More than 300 local police personnel were also deployed, alongside a Vajra vehicle and Rapid Action Force personnel. Security arrangements were tightened at key points outside the campus.
Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting activities that could disturb public order. Officials said no fresh first information report had been registered and no detention had been made on Tuesday.
The university administration also strengthened security along the campus perimeter. Walls were raised at several gates, fencing was reinforced with bricks and tin sheds were installed over gates connecting to the protest site. Barricades were placed at campus entrances.
Protesters alleged that police personnel had entered the campus, with some stationed inside. Police rejected the allegation that the university had handed over any gate or part of its premises to the force, describing the claims as “false and baseless”. Officials said the police presence was intended to maintain peace in surrounding areas and ensure normal movement.
The security measures have added a public-access dimension to the dispute, as campus gates, surrounding roads and movement near the university become part of the administration’s response to the proposed protest march. The supplied report does not specify how long the prohibitory orders or the additional deployment will remain in force.
Separately, Krantikari Yuva Sangathan organised an ‘All-India Protest Day’ against what it described as attacks on students’ democratic rights. The organisation held a rally at Delhi University’s North Campus in solidarity with students protesting at Jamia Millia Islamia, Ambedkar University Delhi, IIT Bombay and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.
KYS accused university administrations and political forces of curbing dissent and called for wider mobilisation. At Jamia, negotiations between protesters and the administration were continuing, while police and university authorities maintained enhanced security around the campus.
