Nashra Naim becomes first woman vice president of Aligarh Muslim University students union in 40 years

Nashra Naim, a law student from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, became the first woman elected to a top leadership position in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Students’ Union in four decades.

The election results were announced on Friday following a vote held on November 5. Naim joined Noman Ashraf, who became president, and Mohammad Hamdan, who became honorary secretary, in the new leadership.

The university administration restored the union after an eight-year suspension that began in 2019 due to concerns over campus violence and law and order. Students pushed for the restoration through 19 days of intense protests, which included an MA student going on a hunger strike. Similar protests at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi also led to the restoration of student elections there after a 20-year gap.

Naim campaigned on a platform focused on updating outdated academic curriculums and expanding access to third spaces, such as the main library canteen. She also advocated for the importance of political consciousness to help students understand administrative decisions and community development. The election saw high female participation, with women winning five out of 10 cabinet positions and two women, Amina Faizan and Ilma Mashroof, being elected as student representatives to the AMU Court.