Jamia Millia Islamia has announced that students’ union elections will be held after a gap of nearly two decades, following sustained protests demanding the restoration of an elected representative body on campus.
However, protesting students have rejected the university’s latest order, arguing that it does not provide a clear timeline for restoring the union or conducting the elections. They have said the agitation will continue until the administration gives a definite written commitment.
Elections 15 Days After Constitution Approval
In an order issued on Monday, the university administration said the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union election would be conducted within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution.
“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 of Jamia Millia Islamia,” the order said.
The announcement represents a significant development in a dispute that has continued for nearly two weeks.
Jamia’s students’ union has remained suspended since 2006.
Students Say Key Timeline Is Missing
The main point of contention is that the university has not specified when the students’ union constitution will be approved.
Protesting students argue that without a deadline for approving the constitution, the promise to hold elections 15 days later does not amount to a fixed election schedule.
They have demanded a clear and time-bound roadmap for restoring the elected union.
Registrar Holds Early-Morning Talks With Protesters
Jamia Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi reached the campus at around 4:30 am on Monday and held talks with protesting students.
He presented the administration’s written order and urged the students to end their agitation, saying their major demands had been addressed.
Students, however, said the document remained ambiguous and did not provide the certainty they had been seeking.
Suspension and Show-Cause Notices Withdrawn
The university has also withdrawn suspension orders and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest.
In addition, the administration has announced that a committee will be constituted to examine the conduct of security personnel during the agitation.
These were among the issues raised by students during the demonstrations.
The university’s order also says that students should remove social-media posts considered defamatory towards the administration and issue a public apology over such statements or actions.
Proctor’s Resignation Remains Unresolved
Protesting students have also been demanding the resignation or removal of the university’s Chief Proctor.
According to students, the latest order does not address this demand.
They said this was another reason why they could not accept the administration’s announcement as a complete resolution of the dispute.
Protest Began on October 12
The agitation began on October 12, with students demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union and a fixed schedule for elections.
The protest later escalated into an indefinite hunger strike, while tensions increased between students and university security personnel.
The administration subsequently shifted classes online and restricted access to several campus facilities amid concerns over security and disruption.
Conflicting Reports Over Whether Protest Has Ended
There was some confusion on Monday morning over the status of the agitation.
Some reports said students had reached an agreement with the administration and called off the protest after the written order was issued. NDTV reported that the agitation had ended and that the hunger strike had been withdrawn.
However, subsequent reports from Hindustan Times and India Today said protesting students had rejected the notice, describing it as inadequate and maintaining that the agitation would continue.
The differing accounts indicate that the situation remains fluid.
First Union Election Since 2006
If conducted, the election would mark the return of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union after around 20 years.
The union was suspended in 2006 following campus disturbances, including clashes and disruptions to academic activities.
Students involved in the current agitation say an elected union is necessary to provide formal representation on academic, administrative and campus-related issues.
For now, the university has committed to holding elections within 15 days after the union constitution is approved. The unresolved question is when that approval will take place — the issue that remains at the centre of the students’ objections.
