Jamia Admin Sets May 2027 Deadline for Student Union Charter
New Delhi, October 29: The administration of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University has fixed May 15, 2027, as the deadline to finalise the students' union constitution, covering its drafting, approval and implementation. The decision paved the way for an agreement with student representatives, after which students on an 18-day hunger strike ended their fast.
The students welcomed the administration's move and marked the development with celebrations on campus.
The hunger strike was being carried out by Ebin Basil and Rehan Ghani, who had demanded restoration of the students' union along with other demands. Their demands were agreed upon on the 18th day of the fast. Students said the administration had issued an official notice confirming acceptance of their demands and outlining steps to implement them.
One student said the protest was called off after the administration accepted the demands, with progress made toward restoring the students' union. Students expressed thanks to the Registrar, university staff and the administration.
Another student said Haris Beeran, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), mediated the talks. He first held a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, then met the student delegation, and went back to the Vice-Chancellor's office, where the agreement was announced. The fast ended after a press release was issued and an official notification followed. The Registrar and Haris Beeran offered coconut water to the students to end the hunger strike.
University Registrar Mahtab Alam said the students had placed three written demands before the administration. The primary demand was the preparation of a draft constitution for the students' union by May 15, 2027. The students also sought union elections after the constitution is framed, following the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines. Alam said the administration has accepted the timeline for the draft. The committee framing the constitution will include student representatives along with professors and legal experts, with representatives selected from every faculty.
Alam said the objective is to ensure students take part in the drafting process and that their views receive proper consideration.
Alongside the agreement, the university also outlined plans to resume offline classes. Alam said online classes had been started for students, but offline classes would be attempted after the Diwali holidays. Holidays continue until November 8, and students who have gone home have been asked to return by the scheduled date. He said efforts would be made to begin offline classes as soon as students return.