Ambedkar University student protest against campus restrictions enters 7th day

New Delhi: The protest by students of Ambedkar University Delhi against tighter campus security and restrictions on movement entered its seventh day on Saturday, with the standoff between the students and the administration continuing.

Led by the Left-backed All India Students’ Association (AISA), the agitation is focused on stricter checks at campus gates and internal barriers. Protesters have described the new arrangements as an “iron cage” and “aggressive barricading”, alleging that they restrict students’ movement.

Tensions rose late Friday night after students alleged that security personnel prevented them from taking food and drinking water inside the campus. AISA also claimed that a protesting student collapsed around 3 a.m. and that his medical evacuation was delayed because an ambulance and police vehicles were stopped from entering.

The university said its medical team was monitoring the health of all protesting students.

AISA further alleged that the campus was closed to students on Saturday, resulting in some students missing scheduled classes and examinations. The student body claimed the administration cited maintenance at the library and computer laboratories despite no such work being carried out there.

The university, however, said the library, laboratories and some other blocks were closed for maintenance and safety reasons and that students had been informed in advance. Its public relations office said the measure was “purely for safety and maintenance reasons”.

The administration also said the sit-in was being held without permission and that a designated area was available for peaceful protests. It alleged that protesters were instead sitting near the library and classrooms, affecting other students, and claimed some students had “manhandled” security guards. The matter has been brought to the Delhi Police.

AISA is demanding removal of the “iron cages”, internal barricades and other barriers, unrestricted campus access for registered students, restoration of campus democracy, accountability over the alleged obstruction of emergency medical access and direct talks with the administration.

The university said it was in dialogue with students and had addressed all “permissible and legitimate demands”. It urged students to maintain peace and avoid misinformation.

AISA has appealed to civil society, legal rights and human rights groups to intervene and seek accountability.

With IANS inputs