Jamia Millia election nod fails to end protests as students demand a clear poll sched
Jamia Millia election nod fails to end protests as students demand a clear poll schedule
M.U.H
27/10/202611
The ongoing protests at Jamia Millia Islamia over the restoration of student union elections intensified on Monday even after the central university issued a notification accepting the demand.
The students pointed out the lack of a time frame for the conduct of the elections and continued their protests near Gate 7.
The students said the university administration issued a notice in the evening asking the agitating students to vacate the site and end the protest or face legal action.
The campus protest began on October 12, with five students going on a hunger strike. Three have been admitted to hospital since then.
The student union elections were last held in 2006.
Over the last two weeks, the university has witnessed heavy police deployment, strict checks at entry points, a switch to online classes, closure of the central library and efforts by the administration to evict the students from the protest site.
On Monday, Ebil Basil, a student on hunger strike, said they had received a notice asking the protesters to end the agitation. “There will be disciplinary and legal actions for not obeying the rules, the notice said. This clearly shows that the administration will use the police, file an FIR and arrest us as soon as possible. But we should sustain the movement,” he said in a video message.
On Monday, the university issued a notification suggesting it has accepted
the demand.
“The Competent Authority, JMI, while considering the Demand Letter dt. 26/10/2026 submitted by the students on hunger strike and their delegates, hereby, issues the following orders: 1. The Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Election will be held after 15 days, from the date of approval of the constitution of the student’s union of Jamia Millia Islamia,” the notification said.
“Suspension and showcause notices issued to students during the period of protest are hereby revoked. A committee shall be constituted to enquire into the actions of security staff during the period of protest,” it added.
The notification wants the students to issue a public apology over their “defamatory” statements and posts against the university administration.
On October 21, the university had set up a five-member committee to draft the student union constitution. The protesters rejected the panel, which didn’t have student representation.
“The university must clarify on which date the elections will be held,” Elaiya Kumar, a PhD student, said.
