New Delhi: With protests demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union entering their 16th day, Union education minister Pralhad Joshi Tuesday said negotiations were under way with students and appealed to protesters not to create a law and order situation on the campus.The minister’s remarks came as students refused to call off their agitation despite the university administration announcing that elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the students’ union constitution. The protesters have demanded a definite election date and a clear timeline for approving the constitution.“Many efforts have been made and these elections are not being held since more than a decade… negotiations are going on… no one should try to create a law and order problem, this is what I can appeal for. Whatever issues or concerns are being raised by students, there is a body which is looking into it,” Joshi said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the CBSE Experience Centre.Students have been demanding the revival of the elected union, for which polls have not been held since 2006. While the university’s latest announcement has opened the possibility of elections, the administration has not specified when the union constitution will be approved, leaving the election schedule uncertain.Meanwhile, tensions on the campus continued, with protesting students opposing the administration’s decision to shift classes online and close campus facilities.
