New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has issued a final warning to protesting students, directing them to immediately vacate the Gulistan-e-Ghalib Building and Ghalib Lawn on its North Campus or face disciplinary and legal action. The university has also extended online classes until November 8 and decided to conduct its second mid-term semester examinations virtually amid the continuing campus unrest.

The warning comes as students continue their 14-day agitation demanding the restoration of the elected students' union and a definite timeline for elections, despite the university administration announcing plans to resume the electoral process after a two-decade gap.

According to a notice shared by the protesting students, the administration described their continued presence in the Gulistan-e-Ghalib Building, which houses the Political Science and Economics departments, as unlawful.

“Your presence in the Gulistan-e-Ghalib Building, in which the Department of Political Science and the Department of Economics are located, is unlawful and is causing disruption to the smooth functioning of these departments,” the notice read.

The university directed the protesters to immediately leave the building and the sit-in site at Ghalib Lawn.

“In view of the foregoing circumstances, you are hereby given a final opportunity to immediately vacate the said building as well as the sit-in site at Ghalib Lawn in the North Campus, without any further delay, upon receipt of this notice, and leave the campus along with your companions,” it stated.

The administration also warned that failure to comply with the directive would invite disciplinary and legal consequences.

“If you do not vacate the said premises immediately, disciplinary and legal action shall be initiated against you,” the notice added.

Online classes extended, mid-term examinations to be held virtually

In a separate office order issued on Monday, the university announced that online classes would continue until November 8, while the second mid-term semester examinations would also be conducted online.

The decision follows protests and a hunger strike that began on October 12, prompting the administration to shift teaching activities online from October 24.

According to the latest order, a meeting of deans, heads of departments, directors and other university officials, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif, decided to extend online teaching until the forthcoming Diwali holidays.

The administration said it would review the situation after November 8 before deciding whether to continue online classes or resume regular classroom teaching.

The university has authorised the respective deans, department heads and directors to finalise the examination schedule, procedures and other arrangements in consultation with the Controller of Examinations.

PhD research scholars have also been instructed to consult their supervisors online during this period.

The registrar has directed university officials to ensure the smooth functioning of virtual classes and examinations while maintaining regular records of student attendance.

Jamia announces union elections after 20 years

Earlier on Monday, the university administration announced that elections to the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union would be conducted 15 days after the approval of the union's constitution.

The announcement followed days of demonstrations by students demanding the revival of the elected union, which was dissolved by the administration in 2006.

“The Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Election will be held after 15 days, from the date of approval of the constitution of the Students’ Union of Jamia Millia Islamia,” the order stated.

An official order dated October 26, issued by the Office of the Registrar, also announced the withdrawal of suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest period.

The administration further said a committee would be constituted to investigate allegations concerning the conduct of university security personnel during the demonstrations.

“The administration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union Election will take place 15 days after the approval of the union's constitution. Furthermore, all suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest period have been revoked, and a committee will be constituted to inquire into the actions of the security staff during the protest. In turn, the protesting students submitted that they will issue a public apology via a press conference for any defamatory statements, actions, or posts made against the university administration, with all such social media posts to be taken down immediately. Upon the issuance of this order, the protest was called off immediately.”

However, the students disputed the administration's claim that the agitation had ended, maintaining that no agreement had been reached on their principal demands.

Students reject assurances, vow to continue hunger strike

The protesting students rejected the university's announcement, arguing that it failed to provide a clear commitment to restoring the students' union or a definite date for conducting elections.

They pointed out that although the administration had promised to hold elections within 15 days of approving the union's constitution, it had not specified when that approval would take place.

The students also dismissed reports suggesting that they had accepted the administration's assurances and withdrawn their protest.

According to the protesters, such reports reflected the university administration's version of events and did not represent their position.

They confirmed that students observing a hunger strike would continue it until their demands were fulfilled.

The protesters also expressed dissatisfaction over the administration's failure to address their demands for the resignation of the Proctor and Security Adviser.

“We firmly believe that general assurances and ambiguous statements cannot be treated as fulfilment of our demands. The administration must issue a clear, written commitment with a proper timeline addressing all outstanding concerns, particularly the restoration of the students’ union and a definite timeline for the electoral process,” the protesting students said.

They maintained that the university must take concrete, time-bound decisions on all outstanding demands rather than relying on general assurances.