JMI constitutes committee to draft constitution of students’ union, examine 2006 dissolution

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has constituted a committee to draft the constitution of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), as the university administration continues discussions with students who were protesting over demands for the restoration of the students’ union and student representation on campus.

In a press release dated October 21, the university said the committee would examine the circumstances leading to the dissolution of JMISU in 2006, relevant court rulings and the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee (2007). The proposed constitution will be drafted in accordance with Article 23(J) and (K) of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988.

The decision follows a meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif, attended by Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, members of the high-level committee constituted on October 18, deans of faculties, the Dean of Students’ Welfare, the Controller of Examinations, the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Chief Proctor, hostel provosts, the Chief Public Relations Officer and the Security Advisor.

The recommendations of the high-level committee and its interactions with protesting students , along with possible steps to restore peace and normalcy on campus were discussed.

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JMI committee sought a list of bona fide students

JMI says the seven-member high-level committee approached the protesting students on October 19 and visited the protest site to initiate dialogue. It subsequently sought a list of bona fide students and invited a representative group for discussions at the office of the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Student representatives attended a two-hour meeting on October 20, during which their grievances were heard and discussed. Next meeting was held to finalise the minutes of the discussion and incorporate the broad suggestions made by the students.

However, the administration said the students did not agree to sign the minutes despite several rounds of discussion and efforts to finalise the document.

The university said it would continue working towards a resolution of the issue of student representation, which has remained unresolved for nearly two decades. JMI said the last students’ union was dissolved in 2006 and that developments over the intervening two decades made a comprehensive review necessary in the prevailing legal and institutional framework.

The university has said it is committed to finding a solution consistent with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988, applicable university ordinances and statutes, and relevant court orders.

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JMI students strike

This latest development comes amid an ongoing student protest at JMI . On October 13, three students began a hunger strike demanding the restoration of the students’ union and student democracy on campus. The protest has centred on demands for student representation and a platform through which students can participate in campus decision-making. The agitation also intensified amid allegations by students of the use of force by university security personnel.

On October 18, the university constituted a high-level committee to engage with the protesting students, hear their grievances and work towards restoring normalcy on campus.

JMI said its administration had deputed a medical team under the supervision of Chief Medical Officer Irshad Husain Naqvi to monitor the health parameters of students on hunger strike. An ambulance has also been stationed at the protest site to provide immediate medical attention if required.

The university also expressed concern over the defacement of the historic Ghalib statue and damage to campus infrastructure, including Gate No. 7, named after India's first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, other gates, walls, departmental building facades and common areas. The administration said it remained committed to safeguarding students’ rights, upholding democratic values and restoring peace and normalcy on campus while protecting the university’s academic environment and heritage.