NEW DELHI: After over two decades without an elected students’ union, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is set to return to campus democracy, with the university committing to complete the union constitution by May 15, 2027, and hold elections by Aug 27, 2027. The last union election was held in 2005, reports Sugandha Jha.The breakthrough came late Thursday after registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi visited the protest site around 9pm and held talks with the agitating students, bringing the 18-day hunger strike to an end on the university’s 106th Foundation Day. The registrar’s order, issued after the discussions, addressed the protesters’ central demand for a time-bound roadmap to restore elected student representation. It also directed the withdrawal of disciplinary action linked to the stir.Polls at Jamia likely in Aug next year, 18-day hunger strike endsThe five hunger strikers ended their fast with juice offered by the registrar. Celebrations broke out at the protest site after the order to complete union polls and constitution was issued.The order stated: “The approval and implementation of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Constitution shall be completed by May 15, 2027. Subsequent to the approval of the Constitution, the university shall release the notification for elections in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the Lyngdoh Committee. This date will be in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Lyngdoh Committee regulations. The elections shall be conducted within six weeks of the start of the academic session, i.e., approximately within six weeks from July 16, 2027.”On disciplinary proceedings, the administration directed: “All ongoing show-causes notices, disciplinary actions, rustications, suspensions and campus ban orders issued in connection with participation in the protest period shall be revoked.”“In view of the above, the protesting students shall call off their hunger strike with immediate effect,” it added.The resolution came on a day when JMI’s customary Foundation Day celebrations were curtailed amid the agitation. Instead of the usual programme, the official observance was limited to flag hoisting and the university anthem, while protesting students organised an ‘Inquilabi Mela’ at Gulistan-e-Ghalib near Gate No. 7. Hunger strikers Ebin Basil and Rehan Khan were designated ‘chief guests’ at the parallel event, which featured speeches and the release of a protest report and memorandum.Jamia traditionally marks its foundation day with weeklong celebrations attended by prominent dignitaries. Last year, Union minister Kiren Rijiju was the chief guest. This year, the agitation overshadowed the occasion, turning it into a platform for students to press for democratic representation.How the standoff escalatedThe agitation began on Oct 12, with students demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), which has remained defunct since 2006. On Oct 24, the administration issued an order accepting the protesters’ demands and stating elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the students’ union constitution after the agitation grew bigger and gained support from political figures. However, the order did not specify a deadline for completing the constitution, leaving a key procedural step open-ended and failing to address the protesters’ demand for a time-bound roadmap.The movement intensified as five students — Ebin Basil, Rehan Khan, Ritik, Altaf and Abuzar — began an indefinite hunger strike. Their demands also included the release of students in police custody and Tihar Jail, withdrawal of show-cause notices issued to female students, and removal of the chief proctor and security adviser.The standoff subsequently saw clashes between students and security personnel, increased security deployment, restrictions on campus gatherings and a shift to online classes. Protesters also faced disciplinary proceedings, campus-ban orders and directions for some students to leave the campus. The university is now expected to resume physical classes soon.
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