Fresh Protests Erupt At Jamia As Students Demand Time-bound Union Elections

Fresh protests broke out at Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday, hours after the university announced that student union elections would be held following approval of the union’s constitution. Students demanded a fixed timeline for the polls and the appointment of a chief election officer to oversee the process.

Around 100 female students entered the campus through different gates, with some gathering outside Gate No. 7. Several protesters were detained by the Delhi Police. Those protesting also raised slogans of “Delhi Police, go back” as the agitation over the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) continued.

The latest protests came as the university moved to revive the students’ union after nearly two decades without elections. Students have pressed the administration to ensure that the process moves forward within a clear timeframe and is overseen by a designated election officer.

University Announces Election Timeline

The university administration announced on Monday that student union elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the students’ union constitution, Hindustan Times reported.

The announcement followed nearly five hours of negotiations between student representatives and university officials. It also came after almost two weeks of protests and hunger strikes on campus demanding the restoration of the JMISU.

However, students continued their agitation after the announcement, seeking a definite election schedule and the appointment of a chief election officer to conduct the polls.

The JMISU has not held elections since 2006, making its proposed revival a key demand of the ongoing protests.