SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday urged the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) to review the university’s mandatory requirement of appointing a local guardian residing in Delhi as a precondition for hostel admission, describing the provision as a significant hurdle for students from distant states, particularly Jammu & Kashmir.
In a representation submitted by the Association’s National Media Coordinator, Mir Zubair, to the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar, Association stated that the existing requirement creates unnecessary difficulties for outstation students who often have no relatives, family friends, or acquaintances residing in Delhi to fulfil the condition. Despite meeting all academic and eligibility criteria, many students face obstacles in completing hostel admission formalities solely because they are unable to nominate a local guardian in the national capital.
Zubair argued that while the requirement may have originally been introduced to ensure students’ welfare and facilitate emergency coordination, it has become increasingly impractical for a large number of students from geographically distant regions. He said the provision disproportionately affects students from Jammu & Kashmir and other remote parts of the country, placing them at a disadvantage even before the commencement of their academic session.
The Association further pointed out that students from far-flung regions already contend with challenges such as long-distance travel, financial constraints, and limited access to accommodation in Delhi. Imposing a mandatory local guardian requirement, it said, adds an avoidable procedural barrier that many deserving students are unable to overcome despite securing admission on merit.
Association has urged the university administration to adopt a more inclusive and student-friendly approach by allowing parents or legal guardians to be recognised irrespective of their place of residence. Alternatively, it suggested that the university may authorise hostel wardens, faculty advisors, or other designated university officials to act as local guardians for administrative and emergency purposes wherever necessary.
He said that such measures would continue to safeguard students’ welfare while ensuring that no student is denied hostel accommodation merely because they do not have personal contacts or relatives residing in Delhi.
The Association expressed hope that the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar would sympathetically consider the concerns raised by students from Jammu & Kashmir and other outstation regions and initiate appropriate policy changes to make the hostel admission process more accessible, equitable, and inclusive.