Fresh protests broke out at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi on Monday, with students demanding a fixed election schedule and the appointment of a chief election officer, even after the university announced that student union elections would be held following a gap of nearly two decades.
Around 100 female students entered the campus through different gates earlier in the day, with some gathering outside Gate No. 7. Several protesters were detained by Delhi Police as tensions continued over the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), which has not held elections since 2006.
Students raised slogans of “Delhi Police, go back” as they pressed the administration to provide a clear roadmap for the elections.
“We want the administration to appoint a chief election officer and fast-track the election process. Until then, the protest will continue,” Asif Khan, a student at JMI’s Faculty of Law, said.
Students demand elected body to address campus grievances
Students said the absence of an elected union had left them without an effective channel to raise concerns with the university administration.
“From admissions to hostel seats to food in the mess, there is a problem with everything at Jamia. We don’t have anyone between us, the students, and the Jamia administration. We want a union to bridge that gap,” a 20-year-old student said.
The renewed agitation came after nearly two weeks of protests and hunger strikes demanding the restoration of the students’ union. The movement began on October 12, when three students went on a hunger strike over the issue.
On October 21, the university formed a committee to draft the union’s constitution. Students, however, continued to demand a formal notification and a definite timeline for the approval of the constitution and the subsequent elections.
University announces polls within 15 days of constitution approval
The university administration announced on Monday that elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the students’ union constitution. The decision followed nearly five hours of negotiations between student representatives and university officials.
In an order, Jamia registrar Professor Mahtab Alam Rizvi said: “The Jamia Millia Islamia Students Union Election will be held after 15 days, from the date of approval of the constitution of the students’ union. Suspension and show-cause notices issued to students are hereby revoked. A committee shall be constituted to enquire into the actions of security staff during the period of protest.”
The administration also withdrew suspension orders and show-cause notices issued to students during the agitation and promised an inquiry into the conduct of security personnel.
However, the order did not specify when the students’ union constitution would be approved, leaving the actual election date dependent on that decision.
The university also asked the protesting students to issue a public apology through a press conference for any defamatory statements, actions or social media posts directed against the administration during the agitation. The order further required the removal of such social media posts.
The apology condition and the absence of a fixed date for approving the constitution remained points of contention for protesters, who said their demands had not been fully addressed.
Hunger strike continues as students raise other demands
Four students subsequently launched an indefinite hunger strike. Following negotiations with university officials that continued until around 4 am on Monday, two students ended their fast, while Ebin Basil and Rehan Khan continued their hunger strike, according to the students.
Despite the administration’s announcement on elections and the withdrawal of disciplinary notices, protesters refused to call off the agitation, insisting that a clear timeline and further action were needed.
Their demands include the suspension of online classes, the reopening of canteens and the library, a defined timeline for approval of the students’ union constitution, and the resignation of the chief proctor.
The university had earlier shifted classes across all courses to online mode with immediate effect, citing safety concerns amid escalating tensions on campus. It had also advised students to avoid visiting the campus and said the gates and libraries would remain closed until further notice.
The latest developments have brought the long-standing demand for the restoration of elected student representation back into focus, with the administration’s announcement marking a step towards holding polls while disagreements over the timeline and conditions continue.