Jamia student union elections within 15 days of constitution approval; protesters reject apology clause

Jamia Millia Islamia students protesting for the restoration of the students’ union have demanded that the university approve the union’s constitution by December 20, 2026, and announce the election date within 15 days of approval. The students have also alleged that the administration welded shut Gate No. 7, used by hostel residents, and sealed other entry and exit points, restricting movement on campus.

In a letter dated October 26 addressed to the vice-chancellor, students Ebin Basil and Rehan Khan said their demands had not been fully addressed by the university’s latest notification. They demanded the withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesters and said the hunger strike and peaceful agitation would continue until their demands were met.

The development follows the university’s October 26 order stating that Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the union’s constitution. The university also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued during the protest and ordered an inquiry into the conduct of security staff. However, the order did not specify when the constitution would be approved.

The order does not announce a specific election date. Instead, the schedule depends on the approval of the students’ union constitution.

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The latest order follows the university’s October 24 decision to shift all classes online until further notice amid the ongoing campus protest. In its earlier notice, Jamia Millia Islamia cited student safety and the need to ensure continuity of academic activities as reasons for the move. The university had also ordered the closure of Dr Zakir Husain Library and the Old Library.

According to PTI, Jamia Millia Islamia lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police against Congress MPs Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi and others, accusing them of trespassing and inciting unrest during student protests. The Students’ Federation of India alleged that hundreds of students were detained outside Gate 7.

Jamia revokes suspension, show-cause notices

The university has revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest. It has also ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the actions of security staff during the agitation.

The order further states that the protesting students have agreed to issue a public apology through a press conference for defamatory statements, actions and social media posts against the university administration. It directs that the posts be removed from social media channels with immediate effect and says compliance will be monitored.

Students reject apology condition

In their letter to the vice-chancellor, the students demanded that the university draft and approve the students’ union constitution by December 20, 2026. They also called for the election date to be announced within 15 days of approval, without further delay.

The students sought the immediate withdrawal of all disciplinary action related to the protest, including show-cause notices, suspensions, campus bans and rustication. They also demanded the resignation of the chief security adviser and said no protesting student should be required to apologise for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.

The letter states that the students would continue their hunger strike and peaceful agitation until their demands were met. They also urged the administration to provide a clear commitment to establishing a democratically elected students’ union within the stipulated timelines.

Ebin Basil rejected the terms in a video shared by Millat Times English, saying the students had faced pressure during discussions with the university administration.

“They called us for a meeting around 2.30 or 3 o’clock at the table, and they put a lot of pressure on us from all sides to sign,” Basil said in the video, as quoted by Millat Times English.

He also questioned the requirement for a public apology, saying, “Why should we apologise? We are not criminals. We haven’t committed any crime.”

Basil said the students had protested peacefully and argued that their demands had not been fully addressed. He also raised concerns about the wording of the order regarding disciplinary action against students, saying it differed from what had been discussed earlier.

According to a post by Maktoob, the order followed talks held in the early hours of Monday. The report said students, including hunger strikers Ebin Basil and Rehan Khan, continued to oppose the conditions, arguing that the election date should be announced.

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Jamia student union elections after two decades

According to ANI, Jamia Millia Islamia has announced the resumption of student union elections after two decades. The university’s order links the election timeline to approval of the students’ union constitution.

The protests have centred on demands to restore an elected students’ union, withdraw disciplinary action against protesters and address concerns about the administration’s handling of the agitation.

The university has directed that the protest be called off immediately following the issuance of its order. However, the reports shared indicate that some protesting students have rejected the conditions, leaving the dispute unresolved.