New Delhi: The protest demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) entered its 16th day on Tuesday, with students continuing their agitation despite the university’s announcement that elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution.
The protesting students have maintained that the administration must announce a definite date for the elections and specify a deadline for approving the constitution. Student union polls have not been held at the university since 2006.
The latest standoff comes a day after the university issued an order stating that elections would take place within 15 days of the constitution’s approval. The administration also revoked suspension orders and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest and announced an inquiry into the conduct of security personnel during the agitation.
However, protesters said the decision did not address their central concern: the absence of a fixed timeline for approving the constitution.
Jamia Student On Hunger Strike Asked To Vacate Protest Site
Rehan Khan, one of the students on an indefinite hunger strike, said on Monday that the protesters wanted the university to revive student union elections and announce the poll schedule.
Later that day, the university issued a separate order directing Khan to vacate the protest site immediately, warning that failure to comply could lead to legal action.
The university’s order also stated that the protesting students had agreed to issue a public apology at a press conference over statements, actions or social media posts deemed defamatory towards the administration. It directed that such online posts be removed and said the protest would be called off following the issuance of the order.
Despite these developments, the agitation continued on Tuesday as students maintained their demand for a clear election timeline.
Scuffle Between Students And Security Personnel
Tensions escalated on Monday when scuffles broke out between protesting students and paramilitary personnel amid heightened security on campus.
Police personnel prevented students raising slogans against the administration from entering the university. The restrictions came as classes across all courses were shifted online amid concerns over safety and security.
The university had moved classes to online mode on October 24. According to a notice issued on Monday, online teaching will continue until November 8, after which the administration will review the situation.
Alumni, Student Groups Extend Support To Protesters
The agitation also received support from alumni, educationists, artists, lawyers and student representatives at a press conference organised by the Jamia Collective at Syeda Manzil in Jamia Nagar on Monday.
Those attending included academician Siddiquur Rahman Kidwai, educationist Syeda Hameed and Jamia alumna Sameena Mishra. Representatives of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), All India Students’ Federation (AISF), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), All India Students’ Association (AISA) and DISHA also expressed solidarity with the protesters.
Participants called for the restoration of democratic spaces on campus and urged the university administration to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the impasse.
In a statement issued after the gathering, they said students should have a representative platform to raise concerns, participate in university affairs and contribute to campus governance. They also called for transparent discussions and concrete steps to address the dispute.
Meanwhile, SFI representatives questioned the role of the university’s security adviser, alleging that the position was being used to monitor students involved in protests. They also raised concerns over the deployment of security personnel on campus.
University Had Announced Committee To Draft Constitution
The university had earlier announced the formation of a committee to draft the JMISU constitution and said disciplinary action initiated against students over protest-related issues would be reviewed.
The administration’s latest order has linked the election schedule to the approval of the constitution. However, protesters continue to seek a definite deadline for that approval, leaving the dispute unresolved.
With online classes scheduled to continue until November 8, the university is expected to reassess the campus situation after that date.
