Protest-hit Jamia to hold student polls in Aug 2027, to resume classes from Monday

Students' elections will be conducted within six weeks of the commencement of the academic session, scheduled to begin on July 16, 2027.The student agitation began on October 12.New Delhi,Oct 29, 2026 22:45 ISTAfter weeks of deadlock over the restoration of student representation, Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi has agreed to hold Students' Union elections by the last week of August 2027, following sustained protests and hunger strikes on campus.In an official communication issued on Thursday, the university administration ordered the completion of the drafting, approval and implementation of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union constitution by May 15, 2027.Elections will be conducted within six weeks of the commencement of the academic session, scheduled to begin on July 16, 2027.The decision paves the way for the revival of the university’s Students’ Union after nearly two decades. Jamia has not held student union elections since 2006, leaving students without an elected representative body for 20 years. The administration's assurance follows a prolonged agitation in which students demanded a clear election schedule, a formal commitment to restoring the union and the withdrawal of disciplinary action initiated during the protests.HUNGER STRIKE CALLED OFFThe protesting students have called off their hunger strike after the Registrar met them and assured them of a definite timeline for the formation of the Students’ Union constitution and the conduct of elections. The administration's latest communication addresses one of the central points of contention between the two sides: the absence of a firm deadline for completing the constitution and holding the polls.Earlier proposals had failed to resolve the dispute, with protesters insisting that the university issue a formal order specifying the election timeline.The latest decision marks a breakthrough after weeks of demonstrations and uncertainty over the restoration of student representation.DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TO BE REVOKEDAs part of the measures outlined in the administration’s order, ongoing show-cause notices, disciplinary proceedings, rustications, suspensions and campus ban orders linked to participation in the protest will be revoked.The move addresses another key demand raised by the protesting students, who had opposed disciplinary measures and restrictions imposed during the agitation.The protests had intensified in recent weeks, with students staging hunger strikes and demonstrations near the university’s administrative block.The agitation also prompted the deployment of security personnel around campus gates and disrupted routine academic activities.- Ends