New Delhi, 29 October (H.S.): National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) president Vinod Jakhar has condemned the decision to send students Zeeshan Ahmed and Faizan to Tihar Jail for three days of judicial custody following their protest demanding the restoration of student union elections at Jamia Millia Islamia. He called on the government to secure their immediate release, asserting that raising one’s voice in defence of democratic rights is not a crime.

Jakhar questioned why demanding student union elections at Jamia should be treated as an offence, emphasising that students have every right to raise their voices in support of their democratic rights. He described the detention of students seeking to exercise those rights as deeply concerning, arguing that taking them into custody instead of addressing their demands raises serious questions about respect for democratic values.

The NSUI president alleged that the Delhi Police presented the students before a court without informing their families or lawyers. He called for an impartial and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding their detention and the legal procedures followed in the case.

Jakhar maintained that peaceful protest is an integral part of a democratic system and that students must be given the opportunity to articulate their concerns and put forward their demands. He asserted that their voices could not be silenced through detention or coercive measures.

Reiterating his demand for the early restoration of student union elections at Jamia Millia Islamia, Jakhar said such elections provide students with a platform to raise issues affecting them and participate in democratic processes.

The NSUI reiterated its demand for the immediate release of Zeeshan Ahmed and Faizan, along with the early restoration of student union elections at the university.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar