Debate on Facebook about students' union election in Jamia

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Since April 18 when the Delhi High Court asked Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) authorities to form a committee of academicians to look into the issue of holding students’ union election on the campus, a debate has raged on the virtual world about whether student democracy is going to do any good to the central university.

The court’s verdict had come following a petition filed by a final year BA student Hamidur Rehman seeking students’ union election that was scrapped in 2006.

With most of the students busy with their exams preparation, some JMI alumni tried to gauge alumni and students by putting a question on Facebook: Do you really think a Students’ Union will make Jamia a better place for students?

Mixed reactions
The question posted by Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni that has 2,311 fans on its FB page drew 32 comments and some 15 people like it. The reaction was mixed with Sameer Hilal writing: “No! After the reservation it will be the other disaster to our university!”

Another FB user Faisal Khan writes: “Definitely yes. It is always is, that’s also what a student union is for. Just that right guys should be participating in it.”

Right guys and bad guys
Reacting to Khan’s remark, Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni moderator, writes: “‎Faisal Khan: Do you suggest a way to ensure participation of “right guys”? And how can “Right Guys” be defined? Please share your inputs…”

Choudhury MI writes: “U see I always fell that under certain restrictions a University should allow its full-grown-mature students to elect-select their own "right" or "wrong" guy...”

Against democracy?
From the debate it appears that the moderator of Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni has been found making extra efforts in convincing other users that holding of elections would not be good for the university. Is he supporting the university authorities’ stand of not holding students’ union election? The moderator writes: “There is an alternative as well. Use the existing students’ subject association. Form a university wide body of them.”

Interestingly of all the 32 comments, Tanzil Asif has a candid view on restoration of democracy on the campus. He writes: “Yes, there must be Students’ Union. If we accept India as a democratic country, we must accept this very truth that foundation of leadership must be laid down from the very small level. There can’t be a better place for this than a university like JMI.”

Conclusion
The big question is: if election can be organised in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras and others universities why can’t be it held in JMI? Are the authorities afraid of something? Do they feel that the students are not matured enough to tackle freedom? Do they fear that like Jamia Old Boys' Association (JOBA), students representatives will also hold to their posts illegally for long years?