Hyderabad | Students of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) continued their protest for the third consecutive day on Thursday, demanding the immediate restoration of Students’ Union elections, which have not been held for over one and a half years.
The protest began on January 27 after months of representations and memorandums submitted to the university administration failed to elicit any concrete response. The agitation was formally announced on January 26.
Following the announcement, the MANUU administration issued a notice warning students against participating in strikes or protests, stating that disciplinary action – including expulsion and the filing of FIRs — could be taken against activities considered disruptive. Despite the warning, students launched a peaceful sit-in protest in front of the university’s administrative building, which has continued since.
Student leader and PhD scholar Swaleh Ansari said that protesting students were approached by the Proctor and the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW), to whom they reiterated their demand for the immediate notification of Students’ Union elections.
“Instead of issuing a written notification, the administration verbally assured us that elections may be conducted in the next academic session, subject to what they termed a ‘peaceful environment’,” Ansari said. “Our basic question remains unanswered- when elections for teachers’ and employees’ associations are held regularly, why are Students’ Union elections being denied?”
He added that students would continue their peaceful protest until the elections are restored.
Students from the Law School and the School of Education also extended solidarity with the protest. They marched from their respective schools to the administrative block and joined the demonstration.
Abdullah Ansari, a law student, said the “Black Coat March” was a lawful and constitutional form of protest. “Participation in a non-violent democratic movement cannot be treated as misconduct. Law students will continue to assert their rights with discipline and dignity,” he said.
Another law student, Bilal Pasha, said the protest reflected students’ commitment to democratic values. “MANUU Law School stands with the University, not against it. This march represents our demand for student representation and accountable governance within the constitutional framework,” he said.
A resistance poetry recitation was also organised at the protest site, highlighting the cultural and democratic ethos of the movement.
The protest is being coordinated under the banner of the MANUU Students’ Collective.
