New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has agreed to hold students’ union elections within 15 days of approving the students’ union constitution, marking a significant development in the ongoing campus unrest.
In an order issued on Monday, the university administration also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protests and announced an inquiry into the conduct of security personnel during the agitation.
The decisions followed consideration of a demand letter submitted by students on hunger strike and their representatives. The order addresses three key demands raised during the protests, which had led to repeated confrontations between students, university authorities and police personnel.
Election Date Depends On Constitution Approval
The university stated that the students’ union election would be held 15 days after the union constitution receives approval.
“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,” the order said.
However, the administration has not announced a specific election date. The timeline therefore remains dependent on when the students’ union constitution is approved.
The restoration of union elections had been a central demand of the protesting students, who had intensified their agitation in recent days.
Suspension And Show-Cause Notices Revoked
In another major decision, the administration withdrew disciplinary action initiated against students during the protest period.
“Suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the period of protest are hereby revoked,” the university said in its order.
The administration also announced that a committee would be constituted to investigate the conduct of security personnel during the agitation. The issue had been a source of resentment among students, who had raised concerns about the handling of the protests.
Students Asked To Apologise And Remove Social Media Posts
The university’s concessions came with conditions for the protesting students. According to the order, the students had undertaken to issue a public apology through a press conference over defamatory statements, actions or social media posts directed against the administration during the agitation.
The order further directed that such posts be removed from social media channels with immediate effect. The university said the students’ submission had been taken on record and that compliance would be monitored.
The administration also directed that the protest be called off immediately following the issuance of the order.
Campus Tensions Preceded The Decision
The agitation had intensified amid demands for the restoration of students’ union elections, along with concerns over campus access and disciplinary action against protesters.
The university had earlier shifted classes to online mode until further orders. Students had also alleged that several protesters were detained by police after being denied entry to the campus.
Monday’s order marks a key development in the standoff between the students and the university administration. However, the date of the election remains uncertain until the students’ union constitution is formally approved.
