Chennai, Oct 6: Tamil Nadu Muslim political leaders Prof. M. H. Jawahirullah, MLA and president of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), and M. Thamimun Ansari, president of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK), have expressed solidarity with Aligarh Muslim University students demanding the restoration of Students’ Union elections.
Their support comes as postgraduate student Yasir Fahad, who has been on hunger strike since September 21, seeks restoration of the Students’ Union, appointment of an election authority and announcement of an election date. The last AMU Students’ Union elections were held in 2018-19.
Jawahirullah termed the restoration of the elected union a “legitimate democratic demand” and said student unions provide a representative platform for students to raise issues concerning academics, scholarships, hostels, fees, food and other aspects of campus life.
“No student should have to risk their health to secure a basic democratic right,” he said, urging the AMU administration to initiate meaningful dialogue and announce a clear roadmap for free, fair and transparent elections.
In a separate statement, Ansari also backed the students and called for an immediate election timetable. He criticised attempts to suppress peaceful protests, saying universities should protect democratic participation, freedom of expression and peaceful dissent.
The expressions of solidarity also highlight Tamil Nadu’s connection with the last elected AMUSU. Gowtham K, who served as a Cabinet Member in the 2018-19 AMU Students’ Union, was the first Tamil student to be elected to the AMUSU.
Both Tamil Nadu leaders urged the authorities to end the prolonged absence of elected student representation and respond constructively to the ongoing agitation.
Jawahirullah termed the restoration of the elected union a “legitimate democratic demand” and said student unions provide a representative platform for students to raise issues concerning academics, scholarships, hostels, fees, food and other aspects of campus life.
“No student should have to risk their health to secure a basic democratic right,” he said, urging the AMU administration to initiate meaningful dialogue and announce a clear roadmap for free, fair and transparent elections.
In a separate statement, Ansari also backed the students and called for an immediate election timetable. He criticised attempts to suppress peaceful protests, saying universities should protect democratic participation, freedom of expression and peaceful dissent.
The expressions of solidarity also highlight Tamil Nadu’s connection with the last elected AMUSU. Gowtham K, who served as a Cabinet Member in the 2018-19 AMU Students’ Union, was the first Tamil student to be elected to the AMUSU.
Both Tamil Nadu leaders urged the authorities to end the prolonged absence of elected student representation and respond constructively to the ongoing agitation.
