Jamia Millia Islamia announced student union elections after a gap of 20 years to call off the 14-day protest that began on October 12. In an order issued on October 26, the university also cancelled the suspension and show cause notices issued to the protesting students and said that a probe will be carried out into the behavior of security personnel.

But the order has not impressed all the protesting students. Some have questioned the lack of a clear date for the polls and demanded action from the university authorities. The administration has asked students to call off the protest.

Election date unclear

The order says that the elections for the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) will be held within 15 days of the constitution being approved. The administration has not said when this will happen.

Students began the protest on October 12 demanding the elected student union that was disbanded in 2006 be reinstated, as well as action against the disciplinary notices.

The university has cancelled the suspension and show cause notices and said a committee will probe into the actions of security personnel.

Public apology demanded

The order also noted that the protesting students had promised to publicly apologise via a press conference for any statements, actions or posts on social media deemed to be defamatory to the administration. It has asked the students to remove any such posts.

The administration has said that the protest should be called off once the order has been issued. The Registrar, Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, was reported to have visited the campus around 4.30 am on Monday to inform the protesting students of the decision. He asked them to call off the protest.

He had previously told them they would have 30 minutes from 9 am to leave the protest site or risk facing possible legal action.

Order seen as vague

Some protesting students have said the order is vague as it does not ensure a clear date for the polls. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said that there were still major issues to be addressed. They want action against the Chief Proctor and assurances that they will not face any disciplinary action.

Two students, one affiliated to the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and one to the Fraternity Movement are continuing their hunger strike.

Although the university has addressed some of the students’ demands they are still looking for a clear date and assurances in writing. In the coming days we will see if the administration’s order means an end to the protest or if it will cause further delays in the fight for student representation at Jamia.