Protests at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi continued on October 27, with students refusing to call off their agitation despite the university’s announcement that student union elections would be held. The administration has now issued a fresh warning, asking protesters to leave the designated protest areas and cautioning that disciplinary and legal action could follow if they fail to comply.
The dispute, which began on October 12, centres on the demand to restore the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), which has not held elections since 2006. Students are also seeking a clear election schedule, the withdrawal of disciplinary measures taken during the protest and accountability for the actions of campus security personnel.
On October 26, the university announced that elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the students’ union constitution. It also withdrew suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the agitation and said a committee would look into complaints about security staff.
The announcement, however, failed to convince the protesters. Their main objection is that the university has not set a deadline for approving the constitution. Students say they need a clear, written timetable before they can consider ending the agitation.
The administration has since issued a final notice directing protesters to vacate the Gulistan-e-Ghalib Building and Ghalib Lawn in the North Campus. It has warned that those who fail to comply could face disciplinary and legal consequences. Online classes have also been extended until November 8 because of the continuing unrest.
Police deployment around the campus has added to the tense atmosphere. Despite discussions between students and university officials, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement that could bring the protests to an end.
STUDENTS STAND FIRM ON DEMAND FOR UNION ELECTIONS
The restoration of the students’ union remains the central issue behind the agitation.
Students say an elected union would give them a formal platform to raise concerns about academic policies, hostel facilities, campus services and other issues affecting their daily lives. Without an elected body, they argue, students lack an established channel for collective representation.
Jamia has gone without student union elections since 2006. For protesters, restoring the union is therefore about more than holding a vote; it is also about bringing student representation back into university life.
The administration’s October 26 announcement appeared to offer a way forward by promising elections within 15 days of the constitution’s approval. But the absence of a deadline for that approval has become the main sticking point.
Students argue that a promise to hold elections means little without a defined schedule for completing the steps leading up to them. They want the university to set clear dates for finalising the constitution and conducting the polls.
The administration, meanwhile, has maintained that preparing and approving the constitution requires a proper process and cannot be rushed.
This difference has kept the protests going despite the university’s decision to withdraw certain disciplinary notices and review the conduct of security personnel.
For the students, the question is straightforward: when will the process actually begin, and when can they expect to vote?
FRESH UNIVERSITY WARNING ADDS TO CAMPUS TENSIONS
The administration’s latest notice has raised the stakes in an already tense situation.
The university has directed protesters to vacate the Gulistan-e-Ghalib Building and Ghalib Lawn, arguing that their continued occupation is unlawful and disrupting academic activities in the departments housed in the building.
It has warned that students who ignore the direction could face disciplinary proceedings and legal action.
Protesters, however, maintain that the warning does not address the main issues that brought them to the streets. They continue to demand a definite election schedule and clear assurances on disciplinary action and complaints involving security personnel.
The university has stressed the need to maintain campus safety and ensure that academic activities can continue.
The dispute puts the administration in a difficult position. It must manage university operations and security while responding to demands for elected student representation. At the same time, students remain unwilling to end their agitation without more concrete commitments.
The fresh warning could put pressure on protesters to reconsider their approach. However, if students believe their concerns are being sidelined, the notice could make an already difficult standoff harder to resolve.
ONLINE CLASSES EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 8
The unrest has begun to affect the university’s academic schedule as well.
Jamia Millia Islamia has extended online classes for all courses until November 8, 2026. The second mid-term semester examinations will also be held online, with individual departments expected to finalise arrangements in consultation with the Controller of Examinations.
The administration has said it will review the situation after the Diwali holiday period before deciding whether online teaching needs to continue.
The move is intended to limit disruption and address safety concerns while the protests continue. But it also means students will have to adjust to studying and taking examinations remotely.
For those who rely on campus facilities such as libraries, canteens and in-person academic support, the extended online arrangement could create additional difficulties.
Some students have also raised concerns about access to basic facilities and the broader disruption to campus life.
If the dispute continues, uncertainty over teaching arrangements and examinations could put further pressure on students and university staff. The administration’s review after November 8 will be an important point to watch.
POLICE DEPLOYMENT AND RESTRICTIONS KEEP TENSIONS HIGH
Security has become another major concern as the protests continue.
Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed near the campus on October 27 as authorities sought to prevent further confrontations. Media reports described sealed gates, restrictions on gatherings and students attempting to enter the university.
More than 40 students were detained during police action outside the campus on October 26, according to news reports. They were later released, but the dispute continued into the following day.
Authorities also imposed restrictions on gatherings outside the university under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, according to reports. The provision allows authorities to issue orders aimed at preventing potential threats to public order.
Inside the campus, students continued their sit-in and questioned the handling of the protest. Security deployments and restrictions on movement have added to the unease surrounding the university.
The administration has highlighted concerns about student safety and disruption to academic activities. Protesters, meanwhile, maintain that their demands for representation and a clear election schedule are legitimate.
With neither side showing signs of backing down, the way security restrictions are enforced will remain an important factor in determining whether tensions ease or escalate further.
HUNGER STRIKE INCREASES PRESSURE FOR A SETTLEMENT
The hunger strike has added urgency to the dispute, particularly as concerns grow over the health of students taking part.
According to media reports, two students, Rehan Khan and Ebin Basil, remained on an indefinite hunger strike as the protest entered its 16th day on October 27. Other students have also joined the fast during the course of the agitation.
Prolonged fasting can pose serious health risks, and the condition of those participating has become an important concern as the standoff continues.
Students are pressing for a firm timeline for approving the union constitution and holding elections. They also want clarity on disciplinary action and an examination of complaints involving campus security personnel.
The administration has urged protesters to end the agitation and continue discussions with university officials. It has pointed to the steps already announced, including its commitment to hold elections and the withdrawal of certain disciplinary notices.
So far, however, the discussions have failed to produce an agreement acceptable to the protesters. Students maintain that their outstanding concerns must be addressed before they can call off the agitation.
The health of those on hunger strike, alongside the possibility of further negotiations, is likely to remain central to efforts to resolve the dispute.
EDUCATION MINISTER URGES STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITY TO KEEP TALKING
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said on October 27 that negotiations were underway and appealed to students to avoid creating a law-and-order problem on campus.
He said the vice-chancellor and other university authorities were looking into the issues raised by the protesters.
The minister’s remarks suggest that dialogue remains an option, even though recent discussions have not produced a breakthrough. Students have said that talks so far have ended without a satisfactory outcome.
At the heart of the disagreement is the question of timing. The university says the students’ union constitution needs to be prepared through a structured process. Protesters want a firm deadline rather than an assurance that leaves the process open-ended.
Both sides face a difficult task: finding a credible path towards elections while restoring normal academic activities and preventing further escalation.
Another round of talks could help narrow the differences, but a lasting settlement will depend on whether the university is willing to provide specific commitments and whether students consider those commitments sufficient.
RISKS AND KEY ISSUES TO WATCH
1. Further escalation on campus
If protesters continue to reject the university’s directions while security restrictions remain in place, the risk of further confrontations could rise.
2. Health concerns over hunger strikes
The condition of students taking part in prolonged hunger strikes remains an immediate concern. Any deterioration in their health could increase pressure on both sides to reach an agreement.
3. Uncertainty over student union elections
The lack of a firm deadline for approving the union constitution remains the main obstacle. Without a clear schedule, students may continue to question whether the election process will move forward as promised.
4. Disruption to teaching and examinations
The extension of online classes and examinations could affect access to campus facilities and academic support. Further extensions may create additional challenges for students and university departments.
5. Possible disciplinary and legal action
The university’s latest warning raises the prospect of further action against students who do not comply with its directions. How the administration handles any such action could influence the course of the protests.
6. The future of negotiations
Renewed talks could help resolve the outstanding issues. If discussions remain deadlocked, the agitation may continue into the coming weeks.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The university’s next move: Further notices, administrative decisions or meetings with student representatives could indicate whether the dispute is moving towards a settlement.
A deadline for the union constitution: A clear date for approval would address the main concern raised by protesters and help establish a timetable for elections.
The condition of students on hunger strike: Their health and any decision to end the fast could significantly affect the direction of the agitation.
Police deployment and campus restrictions: Changes in security arrangements or restrictions on gatherings could signal whether tensions are easing.
The return to regular classes: The university’s review after November 8 will determine whether online teaching continues or students can return to normal campus activities.
Further intervention by the Education Ministry: Additional efforts to bring students and university officials together could help break the deadlock.
FACT CHECK METER
95% — Confidence in the core reporting
STATUS: SUPPORTED BY MULTIPLE NEWS REPORTS
Confirmed details
Student protests at Jamia Millia Islamia began on October 12 and continued through October 27.
The main demand is the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union, which has not held elections since 2006.
The university announced that elections would take place within 15 days of approval of the union constitution.
The administration withdrew certain suspension and show-cause notices and announced a review of complaints about security personnel.
The university issued a final notice directing protesters to leave designated areas and warning of possible disciplinary and legal action.
Online classes and second mid-term examinations were moved online, with classes scheduled to remain online until November 8.
Important distinctions
The university has announced a conditional timeline for elections, but the date for approving the union constitution remains disputed.
Students say their demands have not been fully addressed, while the administration maintains that it has taken steps to resolve several concerns.
Reports of detentions and security restrictions describe developments during the protests; they do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing by any particular individual.
The outcome remains uncertain and will depend on further negotiations and how the university responds to the outstanding demands.
AWX VERDICT: Multiple news reports support the central account of continuing protests and the university’s fresh warning. The main disagreement concerns the lack of a firm timeline for student union elections, alongside concerns about security, disciplinary action and disruption to academic activities. A lasting settlement has yet to emerge.
THE AWX BOTTOM LINE
The Jamia Millia Islamia protests have reached a critical point. Students want a clear path towards restoring their elected union, while the university has warned that refusing to vacate designated protest areas could lead to legal and disciplinary action.
The administration’s commitment to holding elections offers a possible way forward, but the lack of a firm deadline for approving the union constitution has left the central dispute unresolved. Meanwhile, extended online classes, security restrictions and hunger strikes are adding to the pressure on both sides.
The immediate priority is to prevent further escalation while addressing the students’ concerns through a clear and credible process. A specific election timetable, continued dialogue and attention to student welfare could help move the dispute towards a resolution.
For now, the university remains caught between demands for student representation and efforts to restore normal academic operations. Whether the two sides can bridge that divide will determine what happens next.
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