MANUU students protest for third day over union elections

The protest by MANUU students demanding the restoration of students’ union elections entered its third day in Hyderabad. Students alleged warnings from the administration but continued peaceful demonstrations, insisting on immediate notification of elections and support from other schools

Hyderabad: The protest by Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) students demanding the restoration of students’ union elections, which have not been held for over one and a half years, entered the third day here on Thursday.

The MANUU administration, according to students, issued a notice warning them against participating in any form of strike or protest. Students said the varsity cautioned that disciplinary action, including expulsion and the filing of FIRs, could be initiated against those involved in activities deemed disruptive. Despite this, students proceeded with a peaceful demonstration in front of the university’s administrative building.

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Student leader and PhD scholar Swaleh Ansari said students were approached by the Proctor and the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW), to whom they once again submitted their demand for the immediate notification of students’ union elections.

Instead of issuing a written notification, the administration verbally assured students that elections might be conducted in the next academic session, subject to what he termed a “peaceful environment”, he said.

“Our fundamental question remains unanswered. When elections for teachers’ and employees’ associations are being conducted regularly, why are students’ union elections being denied?” he said, adding that the protest would continue until elections are restored.

Meanwhile, students from the Law School and the School of Education extended solidarity with the ongoing protest. They marched from their respective schools to the protest site and joined the demonstration.