JAMIA’S CAMPUS SHUTDOWN DEEPENS STUDENT UNION CRISIS AS ELECTION PROTESTS CONTINUE
October 29, 2026
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 29, 2026: Jamia Millia Islamia has suspended offline academic activities and shifted classes and examinations online until the end of the current semester amid escalating protests demanding student union elections.
The university announced the decision on Wednesday, citing concerns over campus safety and security. Online teaching will continue until November 24, while practical examinations, project assessments and viva voce will be conducted online from November 25 to 30. Online theory examinations are scheduled between December 1 and 24, followed by winter vacation until January 12. The next semester is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2027.
The protests centre on demands for the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union, whose elections have not been held since 2006. Students have criticised the administration for failing to provide a definitive election schedule, despite agreeing to hold polls within 15 days of approval of the union’s constitution.
The agitation has intensified amid allegations of confrontations, campus restrictions and damage to university property. The administration has accused protesters and others of vandalising gates, walls and CCTV equipment, while protesting students have criticised measures taken to restrict access to campus facilities.
Police have arrested some students and detained others as tensions have continued. Five students were reportedly on hunger strike, including two who had been fasting since the agitation began on October 12.
The university maintains that its decision is necessary to protect students and preserve academic continuity. Protesters, however, have described the move as arbitrary and insisted that their demand for student representation and a definite election timetable remains unresolved.
The shutdown highlights the growing confrontation between the university administration and students over democratic representation, campus governance and the future of student union elections.
