Jamia Millia Islamia Moves to Restore Student Union After 20 Years

On October 29, 2026, Jamia Millia Islamia commemorated its 106th Foundation Day with an announcement that marked a turning point in the university’s student politics. After remaining inactive for more than 20 years, the institution declared its intention to reinstate the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU). This decision came on the heels of a significant 18-day student protest that gripped the Okhla campus, drawing attention to issues beyond the immediate call for elections.

The agitation included five students undertaking an indefinite hunger strike, while academic activities either paused or shifted online. Security presence intensified, and both students and some faculty members described the campus atmosphere as akin to an "open-air prison," highlighting frustrations over restrictions during the demonstrations.

JMISU was originally dissolved in 2006 amid concerns from the administration regarding campus violence and academic disruption. Since then, student union elections had been stalled, often justified by ongoing legal proceedings. In 2022, the Supreme Court addressed a public interest petition about holding elections according to the J M Lyngdoh Committee guidelines but stopped short of mandating or prohibiting future polls.

The recent protests concluded with university officials agreeing to conduct elections around six weeks after July 16, 2027, following the adoption of a new students’ union constitution by May 15 that year. Additionally, the administration rescinded earlier decisions to close hostels and dropped disciplinary actions such as suspensions or expulsions against protesting students. Traditional in-person classes resumed, signaling a move toward normalcy.

This resolution addresses the immediate conflict but raises broader questions about the role of student politics at Jamia Millia Islamia, the university’s autonomy, and the political implications tied to Muslim leadership emerging from this minority institution. While the students’ union primarily serves as a platform for campus representation, its significance is intertwined with the university’s identity and historical context within India’s political fabric.

A faculty member, speaking anonymously, emphasized the importance of Jamia as a rare space for Muslim political leadership to develop. She noted that many prominent politicians began their careers in student politics, a path less accessible to the Muslim community, making Jamia’s leadership potentially influential on a national scale. She also suggested that right-wing groups have sought to prevent the rise of Muslim leaders from such platforms.

Former Amroha Member of Parliament Danish Ali, affiliated with the Congress party, echoed these views. He questioned why Jamia faces restrictions while other universities like Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University hold elections despite experiencing more campus violence. He argued that student leaders from Jamia could become significant community and national figures, reflecting the founders’ vision beyond merely granting degrees.

Sanam Husain, a PhD candidate and former president of Jamia’s Students’ Federation of India unit, linked the current tensions to the university’s prominent role during the 2019 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). She pointed out that Jamia students were among the first to organize marches opposing these laws, a factor that has made the university a focus of apprehension.

Established in 1920 by leaders including Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Hakim Ajmal Khan during India’s nationalist movement, Jamia Millia Islamia’s history intersects with national politics. Notable alumni include Hamid Ansari, former Vice-President of India; S Y Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner; BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi; and Amanatullah Khan, current MLA from Okhla. This legacy continues to inspire current students and alumni alike.

The revival of the students’ union also reflects broader trends of youth political engagement. The Gen Z generation, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, has increasingly been involved in political protests across India and globally. Recent demonstrations, such as those against the NEET-UG exam paper leak in 2027, have galvanized young Indians, challenging established authorities.

Husain credited this wider climate of youth activism for the momentum behind Jamia’s protests. She described how students persevered despite attempts to dismantle their protest sites and the harsh campus restrictions they faced. Their unified spirit made a difference in the eventual agreement with university administrators.

However, the restoration of JMISU presents challenges about how campus politics will function moving forward. Questions arise about the inclusivity and representativeness of student leadership and how it will manage the political diversity and divisions increasingly visible on university campuses.

Husain stressed that drafting a new constitution for the students’ union is only a first step. She highlighted the pervasive fear among Muslim students of being labeled militants or dissenters, a concern that hampers free political expression. Overcoming this atmosphere of caution is vital for genuine student representation and activism.

Beyond student bodies, the status of faculty representation at Jamia remains uncertain. The Jamia Teachers Association was dissolved by the university in 2022 and, despite a Delhi High Court ruling in October 2025 overturning the administration’s decision, it has yet to be reinstated. Faculty members have shown some support for its revival, but organizing efforts face obstacles.

The unfolding situation at Jamia Millia Islamia highlights complex intersections of student politics, minority representation, and institutional governance in India’s higher education landscape. As the university prepares for the return of its students’ union, the coming months will be pivotal in shaping how these themes evolve on campus and beyond.