New Delhi, October 27, 2026: Tensions remain high at Jamia Millia Islamia after the university issued a legal notice directing protesting students to vacate their demonstration site, even as hunger strikes and demonstrations demanding the restoration of the students’ union continued into Tuesday.
The notice was issued late Monday night after a day marked by scuffles between protesters and security personnel, temporary detention of more than 40 students and the deployment of more than 700 security personnel around the campus.
University Orders Protest Site Vacated
Jamia Millia Islamia directed protesting students to leave the site near Gulistan-e-Ghalib, where the agitation has been concentrated.
The university warned that failure to comply could result in disciplinary action.
The legal notice marked a further escalation in the administration’s response to the nearly three-week-long student agitation.
Protest Continues Into Third Week
The agitation began on October 12, when students launched a hunger strike demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union.
Jamia has not held student union elections since 2006.
Students argue that the absence of an elected union has left them without an effective institutional mechanism to raise issues relating to hostels, academics, campus facilities and student welfare.
Over 40 Students Briefly Detained
More than 40 protesting students were briefly detained on Monday as tensions escalated outside and around the university.
The detentions occurred as protesters attempted to continue demonstrations despite restrictions on access to the campus.
The students were later released, according to reports.
Scuffles Break Out With Security Personnel
Scuffles were also reported between students and security personnel.
Protesters raised slogans against the administration and police deployment, while authorities attempted to prevent large groups from entering restricted parts of the campus.
More Than 700 Security Personnel Deployed
Security around Jamia was significantly strengthened on Monday.
More than 700 personnel were deployed, nearly double the number stationed in the area the previous day.
The deployment included Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel positioned around university entrances and nearby roads.
University Has Agreed to Restore Union Elections
Jamia announced on Monday that elections to the students’ union would be restored after a gap of nearly two decades.
According to the university, elections would be conducted within 15 days of approval of the students’ union constitution.
The announcement represented a major concession to one of the protesters’ principal demands.
Students Say Election Promise Is Too Vague
Protesters, however, refused to end the agitation.
They argue that the announcement does not specify when the proposed union constitution will actually be approved.
Without a fixed approval deadline, students say there is still no firm date for the elections themselves.
Students Demand Chief Election Officer
Protesters are also demanding the immediate appointment of a Chief Election Officer to oversee the student union poll process.
They say this would demonstrate that the administration is genuinely preparing to conduct elections rather than merely making a broad commitment.
Hunger Strike Continues
Several students remain on hunger strike despite negotiations with the university.
The Indian Express reported that students including Ebin, Rehan and Rida had pledged to continue fasting until all of their demands were addressed, while another student joined the hunger strike early Tuesday.
Some Hunger Strikers Had Earlier Ended Fast
Negotiations between the administration and protesting students continued late into Sunday night and early Monday morning.
Some students subsequently ended their hunger strike, but others continued after saying they were dissatisfied with the university’s assurances.
Protesters Say They Were Misled
Some hunger strikers have alleged that they were misled during negotiations into believing the administration had accepted their demands.
The university has disputed that account and questioned why students continued the agitation after negotiations appeared to produce an agreement.
University Revokes Suspension and Show-Cause Notices
As part of Monday’s announcement, Jamia revoked suspension orders and show-cause notices issued to students during the current agitation.
The administration also agreed to constitute a committee to examine allegations concerning the conduct of security personnel during the protests.
Students Still Want Definite Election Schedule
Despite those concessions, student representatives say their central demand has not been met.
They want a fixed timeline for drafting and approving the union constitution, followed by a clearly announced date for elections.
The university’s present position is that elections will be held within 15 days after the constitution receives approval.
Draft Constitution Expected by December 20
According to protesting student Rehan Khan, the administration had indicated that a draft constitution could be prepared by December 20.
Students say the unresolved issue is what deadline would apply to approving that draft once it is completed.
Union Has Been Inactive Since 2006
Jamia’s students’ union has remained inactive for about two decades.
The last elections were held in 2005, and the union ceased functioning in 2006 amid legal and administrative disputes.
Its proposed restoration has therefore become the central issue behind the current agitation.
Students Say Union Is Needed for Representation
Protesters argue that an elected student body is necessary to represent them in disputes involving hostel allocation, academic matters, fees, campus facilities and welfare.
Students have pointed to universities such as Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where elected student bodies play a visible role in campus politics.
Online Classes Continue
Jamia has shifted classes across courses to online mode amid the continuing agitation.
The university has now said online classes will continue through the Diwali holiday period until November 8, when the situation will be reviewed.
Mid-Semester Exams Also Move Online
The university has announced that second mid-semester examinations will be conducted online.
Individual departments will determine arrangements in consultation with the Controller of Examinations.
PhD Scholars Asked to Work With Supervisors Online
Research scholars have also been instructed to communicate with their supervisors through online channels.
The decision is part of a broader effort to limit movement inside the campus while demonstrations continue.
Libraries and Campus Access Restricted
Campus gates and libraries have faced restrictions during the protests.
Students have criticised these measures and are demanding restoration of normal access to libraries, canteens and other university facilities.
Protesters Demand End to Online Classes
Apart from the union election issue, protesters are demanding that physical classes resume.
They argue that shifting the entire university online penalises students who are not participating in the demonstration.
Resignation of Chief Proctor Also Sought
Students have also demanded the resignation of Jamia’s chief proctor.
They have accused the university’s security and disciplinary administration of mishandling the protest.
The administration has not accepted that demand.
University Seeks Apology From Protesters
Jamia’s earlier order stated that protesting students had agreed to issue a public apology for statements, actions or social-media posts considered defamatory toward the university administration.
Students were also expected to remove such posts.
The continuation of protests indicates that the terms of that understanding remain disputed.
Political Leaders Have Joined Protest
The agitation has also attracted political attention.
Congress MP Imran Masood was detained after joining protesting students on October 23, while political representatives from other opposition parties have also visited or expressed support for the students.
Administration Says It Has Held Multiple Talks
Jamia says a seven-member committee of professors has held repeated discussions with student representatives.
The administration also constituted a committee on October 21 to draft the proposed students’ union constitution.
Protesters Say Committee Alone Is Not Enough
Students maintain that forming a committee does not guarantee elections.
They want student representation in the constitution-drafting process and legally or administratively enforceable deadlines for each stage leading to the polls.
Legal Notice Raises Stakes
The latest order to vacate the protest site significantly raises the stakes.
Students now face the possibility of disciplinary action if they refuse to leave, while the university faces pressure to avoid further confrontation after already agreeing in principle to restore union elections.
Situation Remains Tense
As of October 27, the protest has not been fully resolved.
Hunger strikers remain active, security continues around the campus and students are insisting that they will not withdraw until the university provides a definite roadmap for union elections.
The dispute has therefore shifted from whether Jamia will restore its students’ union to how quickly and under what conditions the promised elections will actually be held.
Source: The Indian Express, PTI, Hindustan Times, Times of India
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