Jamia protesters refuse to end stir, demand definite timeline for student polls

Representatives of agitating students at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on Monday refused to call off their protest until the university announces a date for students’ union elections. Earlier in the day, following talks with protesting students, the university administration issued an order stating that elections would be held 15 days after the drafting of the students’ union constitution. The order also revoked rustication and show-cause notices issued to students, directed an inquiry into the conduct of security staff, and asked protesters to apologise for any defamatory remarks made against the university. However, the students rejected the order and submitted a fresh memorandum demanding a clear timeline for drafting the constitution and conducting elections. They demanded that the constitution be drafted and approved by December 20, 2026, and election dates announced within 15 days of its drafting. The students also sought the withdrawal of all notices directing disciplinary action against them and the resignation of the Chief Security Adviser. They maintained that they would not apologise for their peaceful protests. “The administration officials came last night (Sunday) and told us that our demands had been accepted and that we should celebrate. They made us sign the order under pressure, saying students’ union elections would be held. However, they did not give us any specific timeline. Hence, our hunger strike continues,” said Rehaan, one of the protesting students. “The Chief Proctor and the Dean of Students’ Welfare visited this morning (Monday) but only verbally accepted our demands. We will continue to fight until we have clear timelines for drafting the students’ union constitution and conducting elections,” said Ebin, another student on hunger strike. In a separate notice, the administration directed students to immediately vacate the the Gulistan-e-Ghalib building, which houses the Political Science and Economics departments, and the adjacent Ghalib Lawn that served as the main sit-in and hunger strike site for the agitation.The agitation began on October 12, when five students launched a hunger strike demanding the revival of the students’ union, which was dissolved by the university administration in 2006. Attempts were made to forcibly remove the protesters from the campus last week, while classes were shifted online and electricity and water supplies were suspended. Police and CRPF personnel stand guard outside Jamia Millia Islamia on October 26. | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP 20 students detained On Monday, a large number of students gathered outside the campus and entered through gates that had been shut, raising slogans and singing songs as they marched inside. Police dispersed the students gathered outside the campus and detained several of them. “At least 20 students were detained on Monday when they tried to climb gates and scale walls to enter the campus,” said Vineet Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East District. Meanwhile, a food delivery worker detained on Sunday remained in police custody on Monday. “The bag that was found with him is still with the students and has not been handed over to us. The bag contained nothing but clothes, and he went in to support the students,” Mr. Kumar said. Meanwhile, heavy deployment of Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel was seen outside the campus. The gate at Ibn Sina Block, which had earlier been cemented shut by the administration, was broken open in the afternoon. Heavy police deployment and barricading continued outside the gate in the evening. A portion of the railing, which had been broken to gain entry to the campus, was later welded. Students standing outside the campus and speaking to the media were also asked to vacate the area. The lane leading to residential areas surrounding the campus was briefly barricaded, restricting entry and exit and causing inconvenience to local residents. “We need a students’ union to raise our voice against irregularities in admission procedures, the conduct of classes, hostel issues, paper leaks and much more. Right now, no faculty member or administrative official is there to help us; no one takes responsibility. We need a union to represent us and raise our issues with the administration,” said Krishna, a second-year student, while speaking to The Hindu. A student shouts slogans after being detained on October 26. | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP Congress slams Jamia administration Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal criticised the university administration’s handling of the protest and expressed solidarity with the students. In a post on X, Mr. Venugopal accused the administration of adopting a “heavy-handed approach” towards students demanding the revival of their union. “The entire college has been brought to a standstill due to the administration’s stubbornness in dealing with this genuine demand,” he stated. Describing the demand for a students’ union as a matter of democratic rights, Mr. Venugopal alleged that the administration is acting on instructions from the Centre. “We stand in solidarity with the students and urge the authorities to accede to their demands,” he wrote.