Jamia Victory: Students' Union to Return After 21-Year Hiatus
Jamia Millia Islamia administration sets May 2027 deadline for students' union constitution after intense protests and hunger strikes.
In a landmark decision that has sparked widespread celebrations across the campus, the administration of Jamia Millia Islamia has officially set a deadline of May 15, 2027, for the approval and implementation of the students' union constitution. This move marks the long-awaited restoration of the student body, which had remained defunct since the elected union was dissolved in 2006.
Protests and Hunger Strikes Lead to Breakthrough
The administration's decision comes after a period of intense agitation by the student community. One of the most poignant aspects of the struggle was a 15-day hunger strike undertaken by student Rehan Mewati. Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Mewati expressed his relief and triumph, stating that the administration had finally sided with the truth.
"Truth has triumphed. This is the victory of students. I was on a hunger strike for the last 15 days. My health was deteriorating. But Jamia administration accepted our demands and sided with truth," Mewati said.
Another student protestor, Ebin Basil, described the outcome as a historic moment, claiming that this victory would be written in "golden words" in the history and legacy of Jamia.
The Three Major Demands
College Registrar Professor Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi confirmed that the administration has accepted all three primary demands put forward by the students. The agreement covers the following key areas:
- The Constitution: The approval and implementation of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Constitution must be completed by May 15, 2027.
- Election Timeline: Once the academic session begins on July 16, 2027, elections for the union will be conducted within six weeks.
- Revocation of Penalties: All disciplinary actions—including rustication, suspensions, and show-cause notices—issued to students during the protest period have been revoked.
A Democratic Drafting Process
To ensure the new constitution is inclusive, Professor Rizvi revealed that the drafting process will not be limited to legal experts or professors. Instead, it will be a collaborative effort involving student representatives from every faculty to ensure a democratic approach.
The roadmap for the constitution's finalization includes:
- Drafting by a committee of faculty, legal experts, and student representatives.
- Submission to stakeholders for comments.
- Legal vetting of the draft.
- Approval by the Academic Council and the Executive Council.
- Final consent from the visitor nominee.
The Role of Mediation
The resolution was reached following the intervention of IUML MP Haris Beeran, who acted as a mediator between the student representatives and the university leadership. Beeran noted that he had been in communication with the Vice Chancellor for several days and visited the campus to facilitate final discussions between the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, and the Dean.
With the resolution of the conflict, the administration has called for the resumption of offline classes following the Diwali vacation, which lasts until November 8.