Jamia Millia Islamia has set a timeline for its long-pending students’ union elections, directing that polls be held within 15 days of the union’s constitution being approved. The university has also withdrawn suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the agitation, paving the way for the protest to end.

The decisions, announced in an official order on Monday, follow nearly two weeks of protests demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), whose elections have not been held since 2006.

The order also provides for an inquiry into the conduct of security personnel during the protest, addressing another key demand raised by the students.

What has Jamia agreed to?

The university’s order sets out three key measures: a 15-day window for elections after the constitution receives approval, the withdrawal of protest-related disciplinary notices, and an inquiry into the conduct of security staff during the agitation.

The order was issued by Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi after the administration considered a demand letter submitted by students on hunger strike and their delegates.

The protesting students have also agreed to issue a public apology at a press conference for defamatory statements, actions or social media posts directed at the university administration during the agitation. The order says the posts must be removed from social media immediately.

The protest is to be called off following the issuance of the order.

Why were Jamia students protesting?

The agitation centred on the demand to restore the students’ union and hold elections after a gap of nearly two decades. Four students had been on an indefinite hunger strike, while protesters also sought a definite election schedule, the withdrawal of disciplinary action and an inquiry into alleged excesses by security personnel.

The university had earlier announced online classes across courses as tensions mounted at the protest site. It also advised students to stay away from campus, with gates and libraries shut until further notice.

The administration said a seven-member committee of professors had held several rounds of talks with the protesters. A committee tasked with drafting the JMISU constitution was notified on October 21.

Students, however, had argued that setting up the drafting committee alone was not enough. They wanted a clear timeline for elections and student representation in the process.

With PTI inputs