JMI Moves to Revive Students' Union: Committee Formed to Draft Constitution
Jamia Millia Islamia constitutes a committee to draft the JMISU constitution to resolve student protests and restore campus normalcy.
In a significant move to address ongoing student unrest and restore democratic representation on campus, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has announced the formation of a dedicated committee to draft the constitution of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU). This decision comes as part of the university's broader effort to resolve student protests through dialogue and constructive engagement.
The Path to Resolution: Dialogue and Deadlocks
The process began on October 18, 2026, when the university administration constituted a high-level seven-member committee, consisting of senior Professors and Deans, to examine student demands. The committee immediately stepped into action, visiting the protest site on October 19 to initiate a dialogue with the students.
Following this initial interaction, a representative group of bona fide students was invited for a detailed discussion. On October 20, a two-hour meeting took place at the office of the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, where student grievances were heard. This was followed by another meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) office to formalize the minutes of the discussion and incorporate student suggestions.
Despite these efforts, the process hit a snag when students refused to sign the minutes of the meeting, even after several rounds of deliberation. However, the JMI administration has remained committed to finding a resolution.
High-Level Deliberations
To find a way forward, a comprehensive meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif. The meeting saw the participation of a wide array of university leadership, including:
- The Registrar, Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi
- All Deans of Faculties and the Dean of Students’ Welfare
- The Controller of Examinations and Dean of Academic Affairs
- The Chief Proctor and all Provosts
- The Chief Public Relations Officer and the Security Advisor
The primary goal of this gathering was to deliberate on the recommendations of the high-level committee and explore strategies to restore peace and normalcy to the campus environment.
Drafting the JMISU Constitution
As a direct outcome of these discussions, JMI has notified the constitution of a committee specifically tasked with drafting the Constitution of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU), in accordance with Article 23(J)&(K) of the JMI Act, 1988.
The need for this move is underscored by the fact that the last Students' Union at the university was dissolved back in 2006. With two decades having passed, the university acknowledges that the legal and institutional framework has evolved, necessitating a fresh review.
What the Committee Will Examine
The drafting committee will not work in isolation but will base the new constitution on several critical factors:
- Historical Context: An examination of the circumstances that led to the dissolution of the JMISU in 2006.
- Legal Precedents: A review of various rulings from competent courts regarding the Students' Union.
- National Guidelines: The recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee (2007), which provides a framework for student body elections in higher education institutions across India.
- Internal Statutes: The applicable ordinances and statutes of Jamia Millia Islamia.
The university administration has reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic values and safeguarding students' rights, while simultaneously ensuring that the academic environment, heritage, and international standing of the institution are protected.