Jamia Millia Islamia has committed to restoring elected student representation by completing the university students’ union constitution by May 15, 2027, and holding elections by August 27, 2027, bringing an 18-day hunger strike on campus to an end.
The decision followed talks between registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi and protesting students at the demonstration site late Thursday. Five students who had been on hunger strike ended their fast after the registrar offered them juice. The university’s order also directed the withdrawal of disciplinary action linked to the protest.
The last student union election at Jamia was held in 2005. The Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union has remained defunct since 2006, leaving the university without an elected student body for more than two decades.
Under the administration’s order, the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Constitution must be approved and implemented by May 15, 2027. The university will then issue an election notification in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the Lyngdoh Committee. The polls are to be conducted within six weeks of the start of the academic session, approximately six weeks from July 16, 2027.
The order also stated that ongoing show-cause notices, disciplinary proceedings, rustications, suspensions and campus-ban orders issued in connection with participation in the protest would be revoked. It directed the protesting students to call off the hunger strike with immediate effect.
The agitation began on October 12, with students demanding the restoration of the elected union. On October 24, the administration had accepted the demand in principle and said elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the students’ union constitution. Protesters, however, objected that the order did not set a deadline for completing the constitution, leaving the key procedural stage open-ended.
The protest intensified after 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 led to clashes between students and security personnel, increased security deployment, restrictions on campus gatherings and a shift to online classes. Some protesters also faced disciplinary proceedings, campus-ban orders and directions to leave the campus. The university is now expected to resume physical classes soon.
The announcement came on Jamia’s 106th Foundation Day, when the customary celebrations were curtailed amid the agitation. The official programme was limited to flag hoisting and the university anthem, while protesting students organised an ‘Inquilabi Mela’ at Gulistan-e-Ghalib near Gate No. 7. The event included speeches and the release of a protest report and memorandum, with hunger strikers Ebin Basil and Rehan Khan designated as chief guests.
The immediate administrative milestones are the completion and approval of the students’ union constitution by May 15, 2027, followed by an election notification and polling within the specified academic-session timeline.
