Delhi High Court Upholds Jamia Teachers' Right to Association

In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has voided Jamia Millia Islamia's controversial move to dissolve the Jamia Teachers Association (JTA) and nullify its elections. The court found the university's actions violative of the constitutional right to association, ruling them devoid of lawful justification.

Justice Sachin Datta emphasized the limited scope of interference allowed by the university in matters concerning the internal governance of teachers' associations. Jamia's orders aimed at restructuring the JTA under statutory pretenses were rejected for overstepping constitutional bounds, specifically Article 19(1)(c), which ensures the right to association.

Citing precedents, the court underlined that any interference with an association's affairs must meet stringent criteria under Article 19(4), without which constitutional rights cannot be diminished. The ruling quashed Jamia's November 2022 orders, marking a victory for organizational autonomy and reaffirming the primacy of fundamental rights.