New Delhi: Students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have called off their protest and hunger strike after the university administration accepted all three of their demands, including a definite timeline for restoring the students' union, conducting elections and withdrawing disciplinary action against protesters.

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The breakthrough came on Thursday (October 29), ending an agitation that began on October 12 over the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU), which has remained without an elected representative body for nearly two decades.

In an official order issued on Thursday, the university set May 15, 2027, as the deadline for completing the approval and implementation of the students' union constitution. It also committed to conducting student union elections during the next academic session and revoking disciplinary measures initiated against students for participating in the agitation.

The order was issued by Registrar Prof MM Rizvi after the competent authority considered a request letter submitted by the protesting students earlier in the day.

Student union elections expected in 2027

Under the agreement, the university will complete the approval and implementation of the JMISU constitution by May 15, 2027.

Following its approval, the administration will issue a notification announcing student union elections in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the Lyngdoh Committee on Student Elections.

The university has stated that the elections will be conducted within six weeks of the commencement of the academic session, scheduled to begin around July 16, 2027.

This would place the expected election period in late August 2027, subject to the applicable Lyngdoh Committee regulations.

The announcement marks a significant development for students who have been demanding the restoration of an elected union and a clear election schedule.

Disciplinary action against protesters to be withdrawn

In another major concession, the university agreed to revoke disciplinary measures imposed on students in connection with their participation in the protest.

These include ongoing show-cause notices, disciplinary proceedings, rustication orders, suspensions and campus bans issued during the agitation.

The withdrawal of these measures was among the three principal demands raised by the protesting students.

The order makes it clear that disciplinary action connected to participation in the protest period will be revoked.

The protest began on October 12, with students demanding the restoration of the students' union and a firm timeline for elections.

The agitation subsequently intensified, with students launching a hunger strike to press the administration to address their demands.

The prolonged standoff centred on the absence of an elected student representative body at the university for nearly two decades.

Protesters had sought written assurances from the administration regarding the implementation of the union constitution, the election schedule and the withdrawal of disciplinary measures.

The October 29 order addressed all three issues.

"In view of the above, the protesting students shall call off their protest/ hunger strike with immediate effect," the university stated in its order.

Following the administration's decision, the students called off both the protest and the hunger strike.

The order was circulated to senior university officials, including deans, heads of departments, the chief proctor and the security adviser.

With the agitation ending, attention will now shift to whether the administration completes the approval of the students' union constitution by May 15, 2027, and conducts elections within the promised timeframe.