A group of protesters from Jamia Millia Islamia demanding reinstatement of the student’s union have been on a hunger strike for five days now, with the administration allegedly paying no heed.

The students are, however, not planning to give in and have called a press conference on the matter at 3 pm at the university’s gate 7.

The students from Joint Action Committee, an umbrella organisation of almost 16 groups, went on a hunger strike on campus on Wednesday, after protesting throughout October for what they insist is their democratic right. The university students’ union was banned in 2006 and the authorities now want the 2012 petition filed in the matter in the Delhi High Court withdrawn.

The students on strike said in a statement that “the administration is insensitively reiterating the old logic of the matter being sub judice… the health of the hunger strikers is deteriorating but the administration is insensitive towards the students’ demands. They are maligning the protesters using every means”.

The university, which is celebrating its 97th foundation day, had said in a statement that “the legal hurdle can only be solved in court by withdrawing the present petition by the petitioner as well as intervening group of students/applicants. Since the matter is sub judice, any interim action on the part of the university or parties concerned will amount to contempt of court”.