Students protest continues in Jamia demanding reinstatement of student union elections. Many students are on hunger strike in this movement which started from 12 October 2026. Jamia students are also hoping for their demands to be met after the announcement of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) holding student union elections after almost eight years. Meanwhile, the university administration formed a seven-member committee to hold talks with the students and decided to form a separate committee to draft the constitution of the student union. Let’s find out how this whole controversy started and what has happened till now.

Inspired by AMU?

After almost eight years, the announcement of student union elections in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) inspired Jamia students to intensify their agitation. The decision to hold the polls on November 5 was taken after student demonstrations and a hunger strike that lasted for nearly 20 days at AMU. After this, the students of Jamia also intensified their protest with the demand to restore the student union. He says that the university should have its own elected representative body of students, so that they can take their problems to the administration.

When are union elections closed?

Jamia Millia Islamia has a long history of student union elections. According to the information received, after 1996 the Student Union elections were held in December 2005. At that time the then chancellor of the university, Mushirul Hasan, gave permission to hold the election. However, the Student Union office was sealed on 31 March 2006. After this, the student union election could not be held in the university. The issue has once again come under discussion due to the absence of elections for almost two decades.

Has started hunger strike from October 12

A protest started from 12 October 2026 near Gate No. 7 with the demand of holding student union elections in Jamia. International Studies student Jaseem Khan and BA LLB student Abin Basil have been on hunger strike since day one. Four days later, Masters of Social Work student Rehan Haider and BA Honors Geography student Rehan Khan also joined him.

On October 17, the students alleged that security personnel forcibly evicted them from the campus and closed the campus. After this, a large number of students reached there and entered the campus. The university administration also took disciplinary action against some students involved in the protest.

The slogans written on the walls fueled the controversy

During the protests, several slogans were written on the walls of the university campus. It includes slogans like ‘RSS Go Back’, ‘Free Kashmir’, ‘Free Sharjeel Imam’ and ‘VC Go Back’.

It is not clear who wrote these slogans. This matter gave a new controversy to the ongoing movement demanding student union elections. Some students disagreed with the slogans, while the university administration expressed concern over the incidents on campus.

Online classes

Meanwhile, there were also reports of clashes between students and security personnel. After tensions rose on campus, the university administration decided to conduct all classes in online mode.

Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood came in support of the students

In the ongoing agitation at Jamia, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi and Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood reached the university campus in support of the protesting students. The news of Samajwadi Party MP Mohibullah Nadvi meeting the students has also surfaced.

Imran Masood reached Jamia on October 23 night in support of the students. Meanwhile the police tried to stop him and news came that he was detained near Gate No. 7.

The university administration filed a police complaint against Imran Pratapgarhi, Imran Masood and others. It is alleged that he entered the campus without permission and was involved in creating disturbances during the protests. Police have registered an FIR in this matter. However, these allegations have been made by the administration.

What are the top three demands of students?

• Resumption of student union elections: The elected student union should be reconstituted in the university and a clear date should be given for holding the elections.
• Withdrawal of disciplinary action: Suspension and show cause notices issued against students involved in protests should be withdrawn.
• Action against security advisor and proctor: Students alleged that they were ill-treated during the agitation. That is why they are demanding removal of security advisor and proctor.

The students say that instead of just giving assurances, the administration should tell them in writing when a decision will be taken on their demands.

The administration constituted a seven-member committee

As protests grew, the administration formed a seven-member committee on October 18. Talks were held with the students on October 19 and 20, but the representatives did not sign the meeting document. On October 21, it was decided to form a separate committee under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor to draft the Constitution of the Students’ Union. A medical team was also deployed to take care of the health of the students who were on hunger strike.

What decision did the administration take on October 26?

On October 26, 2026, the Jamia administration issued an order saying that elections would be held 15 days after the approval of the constitution of the student union. Apart from this, there was talk of suspending students and withdrawing show cause notices and setting up a committee to probe the conduct of security personnel. However, as the date of approval of the constitution has not been fixed, the students are taking it as an incomplete guarantee.

According to reports, the students objected to the order and said the agitation would continue until a clear timeline on their demands was given. The administration has started the elections, but the controversy with the students is still going on.

What will happen next?

Now everyone’s eyes are on the final date for the approval of the constitution and the completion of the election process regarding the student union elections in Jamia. Students have demanded a clear deadline.

If the constitution is approved soon, the way for student union elections in Jamia may open after almost two decades. However, the challenge of ending the student agitation and building a consensus among all parties remains.