The university’s latest decisions follow nearly two weeks of protests demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union
TBS Report
26 October, 2026, 04:35 pm
Last modified: 26 October, 2026, 04:43 pm
Jamia Millia Islamia authorities today (26 October) announced plans to withdraw suspension and show-cause notices issued to protesting students and hold student union elections within 15 days of approving the union's constitution.
However, the students have rejected the order, calling it "ambiguous" and vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are addressed through clear, written commitments.
The decisions were announced in an official order issued by Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi. The order also provides for a committee to examine the conduct of security personnel during the protests.
"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.
However, it does not specify when the constitution will be approved, leaving the election schedule uncertain.
In a statement today, the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association said the registrar's notice failed to provide a "clear and unambiguous announcement" on restoring the students' union and left several key concerns unaddressed.
There have been no student union elections at the university since 2006.
The university's latest decisions follow nearly two weeks of protests demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU).
Four students had been on an indefinite hunger strike, while other protesters demanded a time-bound election schedule, withdrawal of disciplinary action and an inquiry into alleged excesses by security personnel.
The administration said it had considered a list of demands submitted by the hunger strikers and their representatives. A student group said the university had agreed to hold union elections following days of protests.
According to the order, the protesting students have agreed to issue a public apology at a press conference for defamatory statements, actions or social media posts against the university administration during the agitation.
The posts are to be removed from social media platforms with immediate effect.
The administration had earlier shifted classes across all courses to online mode amid escalating tensions at the protest site. It also advised students to avoid visiting the campus, saying the gates and libraries would remain closed until further notice.
The university said a seven-member committee of professors had held several rounds of talks with the protesters. It had also notified a committee to draft the JMISU constitution on 21 October.
Students had maintained that forming the drafting committee was insufficient without a definite election timeline and the inclusion of student representatives in the process.