Jamia Yields to Student Power: Union Constitution Restored After Hunger Strike
Jamia administration yields to student protests, agreeing to restore the union constitution and revoke disciplinary actions against protesters.
In a significant victory for student activism, the administration of Jamia Millia Islamia has agreed to restore the student union constitution, bringing an end to an 18-day hunger strike. The decision has sparked celebrations among the student community and drawn strong reactions from political leaders, who view the outcome as a triumph of democratic persistence over administrative suppression.
A Hard-Fought Victory for Democracy
Congress MP KC Venugopal hailed the protestors, describing the result as a "victory for democracy." Taking to X, Venugopal asserted that the agitation serves as a "bitter lesson" for those who attempt to stifle the voices of the youth. He alleged that the administration, which he described as BJP-controlled, had employed various tactics to divide and defame the students of the central university.
Venugopal further highlighted the intensity of the struggle, noting that NSUI leaders were even sent to Tihar jail for advocating for this cause. He praised the students for maintaining a non-violent approach throughout their struggle, stating that "the fascists had to bend before student power."
The Administration's Commitment
The resolution came after Registrar Prof. Mahtab Alam Rizvi issued an official order following a request letter submitted by the hunger-striking students and their delegates on October 29.
According to the university's order, the administration has laid out a clear timeline for the implementation of the Students' Union Constitution:
- Deadline for Implementation: The approval and implementation of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Constitution must be completed by May 15, 2027.
- Election Timeline: Once the constitution is approved, the university will notify elections based on the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. These elections are scheduled to take place within six weeks of the start of the next academic session, approximately by July 16, 2027.
Clearing the Slate: Disciplinary Actions Revoked
Beyond the restoration of the constitution, the university administration has taken a conciliatory step toward the protesting students. In a move to normalize campus relations, the order specifies that all punitive measures taken during the protest period will be scrapped.
The administration has directed the revocation of:
- Ongoing show-cause notices
- Disciplinary actions
- Rustication and suspensions
- Campus ban orders issued in connection with the protests
This comprehensive reversal marks a complete surrender to the demands of the students, who had remained steadfast in their hunger strike for nearly three weeks to reclaim their right to a representative student union.