Jamia Students Continue Protest as Agitation Enters 17th Day; Seek Fixed Election Date

New Delhi: The protest demanding revival of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) entered its 17th day on Wednesday, with students refusing to end the agitation even after the university said elections would be held within 15 days of its constitution being approved. Union elections have not been held at the university since 2006.

In an order issued on Monday, the university also revoked suspensions and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest and announced an inquiry into the conduct of security staff. Students said the order did not meet their main demand, a fixed deadline for approving the constitution and a definite election date. Rehan Khan, one of the students on indefinite hunger strike, said the first demand was to revive union elections and announce poll dates.

The order also directed Khan and other students to vacate the protest site, warning of legal action, and stated that the protesters had agreed to publicly apologise for defamatory statements and posts against the administration and to delete them. It said the agitation would end after the order. The students dispute this.

Tensions rose on Monday as scuffles broke out between protesters and paramilitary personnel amid heavy security. Police stopped students from entering the campus after all classes were moved online. The university had earlier set up a committee to draft the constitution and said disciplinary action would be reviewed.

At a press conference in Jamia Nagar organised by the Jamia Collective, alumni, members of the university’s founding families, artists, lawyers and student leaders backed the protesters and urged restoration of democratic spaces on campus. Representatives of SFI, NSUI, AISF, AIDSO, AISA and DISHA called for meaningful dialogue. SFI representatives questioned the role of the university’s security adviser, alleging the post was used to monitor protesting students.

Classes shifted online on October 24 over safety concerns and will remain online until November 8, after which the university will reassess.