Jamia Students Defy Police, Demand Union Restoration
Over 500 students gathered on campus, climbing gates and facing heavy police deployment, as the university administration agrees to conduct student union elections and revoke suspensions
Jamia Millia Islamia students climbed gates and joined protests amid heavy police deployment on Sunday, October 25, 2026, demanding the restoration of their students' union, which has been non-existent since 2006. The university administration has agreed to conduct student union elections and revoke recent suspensions following nearly two weeks of sustained student protests.
The students' union at Jamia Millia Islamia has not held elections since 2006, leaving students without a collective voice on issues such as hostel allotments, faculty recruitment, and administrative practices. The university administration initially responded to the protests by increasing police presence, suspending water and electricity, and restricting campus access.
Despite these measures, over 500 students gathered on campus, despite classes being shifted online and hostels being vacated. Students insisted on a fixed election date and unconditional revocation of all disciplinary actions, including suspensions and campus bans issued since the start of the protest on October 11, 2026.
The university administration formed a draft constitution committee and indicated willingness to proceed with elections, citing the need to comply with Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and University Grants Commission regulations. The decision to conduct student union elections and revoke recent suspensions comes after days of hunger strikes, campus lockdowns, and heightened security measures as students pressed for a written assurance on their demands.
## What happens next The restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union is expected to provide a formal mechanism for students to address their concerns and ensure transparent decision-making. The university administration's agreement to conduct student union elections and revoke suspensions marks a significant development in the nearly two-week-long protest.
The protest has highlighted the need for student participation in university decision-making and the importance of a collective voice for students. The absence of an elected union since 2006 has left students without a formal mechanism to address their concerns, leading to the current agitation.
## Why it matters The demand for a student union at Jamia Millia Islamia is rooted in the need for a formal mechanism to address student concerns and ensure transparent decision-making. The current subject association model, where deans hold veto power, has been criticized as insufficient for meaningful student participation. The restoration of the students' union is expected to provide a platform for students to engage with the university administration and address issues affecting them.
The agreement to conduct student union elections and revoke suspensions is a significant development in the protest, which has seen students defy police deployment and face restrictions on campus access. The outcome of the student union elections is expected to have a significant impact on the university's decision-making processes and the lives of students on campus.
