Jamia promises to hold union polls, revoke suspensions; students reject offer

Jamia Millia Islamia has announced student union elections after nearly 20 years, following protests demanding an elected representative body. However, students have rejected the university's notice, citing an unclear election timeline and the absence of any mention of the Proctor's resignation, and vowed to continue their agitation.Jamia announces union elections after 20 years, students vow to continue protestNew Delhi,Oct 26, 2026 10:10 ISTJamia Millia Islamia has announced the resumption of student union elections after nearly 20 years, following sustained protests by students demanding the restoration of an elected representative body on campus. However, protesting students have rejected the university’s notice, saying it does not adequately address their demands, and have vowed to continue their agitation.In an order issued on Monday, the university administration said the elections would be held 15 days after the approval of the students’ union constitution. “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 stated.The announcement comes amid ongoing protests demanding the restoration of the students’ union, which was dissolved by the university administration in 2006.Students have been pressing for an elected body to represent their concerns and interests on campus, as reported by ANI. JAMIA REGISTRAR HOLDS TALKS WITH PROTESTING STUDENTSJamia Millia Islamia Registrar Mahatab Alam Rizvi arrived at around 4:30 am to hold talks with the protesting students amid the ongoing agitation. The Registrar brought an official notice and shared the order with the students, urging them to call off their protest on the grounds that their demands had been addressed.However, the students rejected the notice, arguing that it did not provide a clear and unambiguous assurance regarding the restoration of the students’ union. The protesting students said the university’s order did not specify a timeline for approving the students’ union constitution or provide a definitive date for conducting the elections.They also pointed out that the notice made no mention of the resignation of the Proctor, another demand raised during the agitation. The students maintained that the administration’s announcement was insufficient to resolve the issues that had prompted the protests. They rejected the attempt to end the agitation on the basis of the notice, saying the central demands remained unresolved.PROTEST TO CONTINUE OVER DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIONThe students said their agitation was aimed at securing democratic rights and meaningful student representation on campus, rather than accepting what they described as vague assurances.While the university’s order signals a possible return to student union elections after nearly two decades, the lack of a specific timeline for approving the constitution remains a key point of contention.The students have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are addressed more clearly by the university administration.- Ends