Jamia University sets voting date in student union and cancels disciplinary actions against protesters

Students at Jamia Millia Islamia achieved a significant victory following prolonged protests demanding the restoration of the student council. The university administration conceded to the students' demands and officially announced the development of the student council's constitution and the holding of elections.

According to the Jamia administration's directive, the new student council charter must be finalized by May 15, 2027. Following this, student elections at the university will take place within six weeks, starting on July 16, 2027.

The administration also stated that all disciplinary sanctions imposed on students during the protests would be revoked, and decisions banning activities on campus grounds would be annulled.

Following this announcement, an atmosphere of celebration swept through the students; they loudly chanted slogans of victory and rejoiced on the campus grounds. Meanwhile, the administration asked the students to immediately end their hunger strike, after which the students ceased their fast.

In fact, no elections for the student council have been held at Jamia Millia Islamia for two decades. The last elections took place in 2005. After an incident of violence on campus in March 2006, the university administration dissolved the student council (JMISU). However, after 18 days of demonstrations, the university administration decided to restore the student council. Elections may take place in late August 2027.

Jamia Millia Islamia marks its 106th anniversary. On the occasion of this event, students held an event called 'Inklabi Mela' near Gulstan-e-Ghalib by Gate No. 7. When Abin, Rehan, and other students who participated in the hunger strike arrived at the event venue, the entire campus filled with cheers of support.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the Delhi Police registered a legal case regarding the vandalism and violence that recently occurred on the university premises. The Delhi Police filed a complaint against unknown individuals based on a grievance submitted by the Jamia administration.

A struggle for student representation has erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia as there is a long-standing deadlock between the university administration and students regarding basic demands, such as the restoration of the student council.

Elections for the student council at Jamia have not been held since 2006. General discussions about campus democracy have escalated into serious protests, including hunger strikes, police presence, disciplinary actions, and disruptions to academic activities. During the observation of events, attention was focused not only on the election timelines but also on the terms of a potential agreement between students and the administration, as disagreements persist between the parties regarding the process. The question arises as to how this dispute can be resolved and when academic activities can resume normally.

Students continue to hold demonstrations near Gate No. 7 next to the administrative block, demanding the formation and holding of elections for the student council, as well as the release of detained activists. They also demanded the resignation of the Proctor, accusing him of blindly following orders rather than making independent decisions, in an interview with India Today.

The students' arguments are not limited to Jamia; they question why Jamia lacks a student council if such bodies exist at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Activists supported the demand for the existence of student councils and elections in various IITs and private universities across the country, which stems from long-standing dissatisfaction. At Jamia, students have been without an elected student council for nearly two decades since the last vote in 2006. Two hunger strikes began as part of the current movement on October 11.

However, the path to resolving this dispute has proven difficult. A new conflict occurred between students and the administration, led by Custodian Professor Majhar Asif, on October 26. Although a working group was formed within the proposed agreement with a deadline set for December 20, protesting students claim that their concerns remain unaddressed. Students insisted on the publication of an official notification guaranteeing the electoral process, as well as assurances that the process would not be halted again after the stipulated period due to additional approval conditions.

The agreement and related disputes quickly became a new reason for clashes, as the arrangement could not last long. Students questioned the terms of signing the agreement, asserting that the student who signed the document on October 26 had already been participating in protests for several days and was exhausted. Due to this disagreement, the most important question remains unanswered: will the administration and protesting students be able to reach an agreement that ensures a clear and reliable path to elections, or will the movement be limited to a temporary cessation of unrest?

Protesters note that many students are forced to spend nights outdoors, facing issues with insects and weather. On the evening of October 27, hundreds of students residing in hostels took to the campus with torches to demonstrate solidarity. After this, reports of vandalism in the media became less frequent.

Campus Provisioning Issues

In an exclusive interview with India Today, one postgraduate student spoke about the reasons for his participation in the movement. Members of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI) are also among the participants. He stated that the administration ignores minority rights, emphasizing that a large number of minority students study at Jamia, and protecting their rights is crucial.

Students present at the protest site reported shortages of food, clothing, and medicine. They mentioned that due to prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), food is being delivered secretly. Student Nivel reported that students are collecting resources independently to continue the protest, uniting and using all available means to support the movement and meet their demands.

A Jamia postgraduate student and Lubayb, participating in the movement, accused the university of ceasing the supply of necessary goods. Lubayb stated: 'The institution has completely stopped supplies. Perhaps it wants us to starve to death.'

Jamia student and AISA member Mantha Irfan reported that women at the protest site lack essential items. Irfan noted: 'We do not have sanitary pads, we do not have...'

Student protests at Jamia Millia Islamia continue due to the demand for the restoration of student union elections. Meanwhile, the university administration, citing safety concerns, has moved all courses to an online format. This decision has caused significant dissatisfaction among students.

Following the closure of in-person classes, the atmosphere on campus has intensified. Serious unrest occurred at Gate No. 7 of Jamia on Sunday when a large number of male and female students gathered for a demonstration outside the campus.

Student discontent with the administrative measures grew after the announcement of the shift to online learning. The entire campus and surrounding area have become a zone of tension. A constant state of anxiety persists both inside and outside the campus.

To restore control over the situation, significant police forces and female officers were deployed to the scene. Police attempted to remove the students gathered at the gate, but despite the attempts to disperse them, students continued to chant slogans from inside the campus. Videos have emerged showing female police officers forcibly placing female students into a police vehicle.

It should be noted that the situation escalated further on Friday after some controversial and offensive slogans appeared on the campus walls. Based on concerns for student safety, the registrar's office issued a notification on October 24. According to this notice, all courses must immediately transition from in-person to online mode until further instructions are issued.

The order, issued on behalf of Registrar Professor Mohammad Mahtab Alam Rizvi, mandated that department heads, faculty members, and students conduct classes online to prevent disruption to the academic process. Nevertheless, the students do not appear satisfied with this decision.

This protest, which has been ongoing for fourteen days, is linked to the demand for the reinstatement of the student union (JMISU) within the campus. Protesting students state that their movement will not cease under any circumstances until the university administration meets their demands and announces the dates for the student union elections.