Jamia to Resume Offline Classes on November 10 as Student Protest Ends

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) will resume offline classes from November 10, bringing an end to an 18-day student agitation that disrupted academic activities and reignited a nearly two-decade-old demand for the restoration of the university's elected students' union. Alongside the revised academic schedule, the administration has committed to approving and implementing the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) Constitution by May 15, 2027, with elections expected within approximately six weeks of the commencement of the next academic session.

According to an order issued by Registrar Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi on October 30, online classes will continue until November 9, while the second mid-term examinations will be conducted offline from November 16 to 21. The latest directive supersedes earlier notices issued on October 24, 26 and 28, which had extended online teaching and examinations amid campus tensions. Departments have been instructed to ensure smooth academic operations and maintain attendance records.

The agitation began on October 12, with students launching an indefinite hunger strike demanding the restoration of JMISU, which was dissolved in March 2006 following incidents of campus violence. The last union elections were held in 2005. A proposed student council in 2017 also failed to materialise after students opposed its indirectly elected structure.

The dispute intensified after the administration's October 26 proposal failed to specify a deadline for approving the union constitution. Students had demanded approval by December 20, 2026, and elections within a definite timeframe. A five-member committee constituted on October 21 was tasked with drafting the constitution in accordance with university regulations and Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

The breakthrough came on October 29 following nearly seven hours of negotiations involving Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif, the registrar and student representatives. Rajya Sabha MP Haris Beeran mediated the discussions. The administration agreed to complete the constitution's approval and implementation by May 15, 2027, with elections within six weeks of the next academic session, expected around July 16.

The settlement also provides for withdrawing disciplinary proceedings, suspensions, rustications and campus-entry restrictions imposed in connection with the protest. Five students were verbally assured participation in the constitution-drafting process.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 teaching and non-teaching employees attended a thanksgiving programme on October 30, appreciating the administration's efforts and acknowledging support from the Ministries of Education and Home Affairs. Teaching staff, however, demanded action over alleged anti-national graffiti and vandalism of campus infrastructure.