Jamia Millia Islamia sets May 15, 2027 deadline for students’ union constitution

In short

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has set May 15, 2027, as the deadline for completing the students' union constitution.
Student elections will follow within 15 days of constitution approval or six weeks from July 16, 2027, adhering to Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.
JMI revoked disciplinary actions, show-cause notices, and suspensions related to the protest period, but rustication orders remain.
A five-member committee, formed on October 21, is tasked with submitting a draft constitution by December 20, 2026.
Protesting students have rejected the university's condition of issuing a public apology and removing social media posts.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has set May 15, 2027, as the deadline for the finalisation of its students’ union constitution, a move that comes amidst an 18-day agitation by students demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) and a clear election schedule. The university’s decision also outlines a timeline for elections, which will be held in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.

Jamia Millia Islamia campus — Jamia Millia Islamia. Photo: FindMyCollege

The university has also revoked various disciplinary actions against protesting students, including show-cause notices, suspensions, and campus ban orders tied to the protest period. However, students have rejected certain conditional requirements, such as issuing a public apology and removing social media posts, and have noted that the order does not cover those who have been rusticated and barred from campus.

Constitution Drafting and Election Timeline

JMI has committed to finalising the students’ union constitution by May 15, 2027. Following this, student elections are planned to be held within six weeks of the start of the academic session, approximately within six weeks from July 16, 2027. Alternatively, elections will be conducted within 15 days of the constitution’s final approval, as stated in an order from the Registrar’s office.

A five-member committee, chaired by Prof. Zubair Meenai, Dean of Social Sciences, was constituted on October 21, 2026, to draft the JMISU constitution. This committee is tasked with submitting the draft constitution by December 20, 2026. The drafting process will involve consultation with all stakeholders, including students, and will also examine the circumstances surrounding the union’s dissolution in 2006.

Student Demands and University Response

Students initiated an indefinite hunger strike on October 12, 2026, demanding a formal commitment that the union constitution would be drafted and approved by December 20, 2026. They also sought an election notification within 15 days of constitution approval and the withdrawal of all disciplinary actions linked to the protest, including rustication. Also, students demanded the resignation of the Chief Security Advisor.

In response to the protests, the university issued a letter from the registrar’s office outlining the election schedule and the revocation of certain disciplinary measures. The university asked protesting students to call off their hunger strike and protests. However, protesters have rejected the university’s terms of issuing a public apology and deleting social media posts, and have highlighted that the order does not extend to students who have been rusticated and banned from campus, including some hunger strikers.

Protest Background and Campus Impact

The Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) has remained dissolved since 2006, following incidents of violence and attacks on teachers, including the then vice-chancellor. The current agitation, which has lasted for 18 days, has seen students drawing inspiration from recent successes at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia, with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students also launching similar agitations for union polls.

The university administration has alleged widespread campus vandalism during the agitation, including damage to gates and CCTV systems. Due to the ongoing protests, JMI extended online classes until November 24, 2026, and announced that practical and viva exams for the odd semester would be held online. Delhi Police registered an FIR against Congress MP Imran Masood and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi for alleged trespassing on October 23, 2026, in connection with the protests.