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Jamia Millia Islamia students start hunger strike for union elections

Delhi, India · since Oct 12, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 6 and counting, since Oct 12.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Student union elections at Jamia Millia Islamia have been suspended since 2006 over concerns regarding campus discipline and violence.
What they want
Students demand the restoration of union elections, an independent election commission, and a proper Internal Complaints Committee.
What changed
Oct 17: Jamia Millia Islamia rusticated one protesting student and suspended two others following their hunger strike.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Reinstatement of student union elections
  • Establishment of an independent election commission
  • Properly constituted Internal Complaints Committee

Organised by: National Students' Union of India

What authorities say

Jamia Millia Islamia officials stated they have no in-principle objection to restoring the union if formally requested, but cited past violence and a lack of written representations. On October 17, the administration rusticated one student and suspended two others.123

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Crowd
5
5 students on hunger strike according to Jagran Josh2
Injuries
1
1 student under medical treatment after being allegedly beaten by security guards according to Siasat3

The full story

On October 12, 2026, students at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi launched an indefinite hunger strike to demand the reinstatement of student union elections, which have been banned since 2006. The protest began with two or three students at Gate 18 and later expanded to five, including members of the National Students' Union of India. Protesters also demanded an independent election commission and an Internal Complaints Committee. The demonstration relocated to Ghalib Lawn near Gate 7 after police allegedly detained or removed some participants. On October 17, university authorities rusticated one student and suspended two others, citing disciplinary violations and damaged CCTV wiring. University officials stated they do not object in principle to restoring the union if formal requests are made, but cited past instances of campus violence as reasons for caution.

Timeline

  1. Jamia Millia Islamia rusticates one student and suspends two others participating in the hunger strike.3

  2. A student submits a memorandum bearing signatures of around 300 supporting students to the vice-chancellor's office.2

  3. Students at Jamia Millia Islamia begin an indefinite hunger strike at Gate 18 demanding student union elections.123

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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