Students at Jamia Millia Islamia stay on hunger strike for the students' union as the university forms a seven-member panel
BBC Hindi, Indian Opinion and DU Beat reported that students at Jamia Millia Islamia are on a hunger strike demanding the restoration of the students' union. The reports said the demands also include revoking suspensions and campus bans on some students and the resignation of the chief proctor, whom the students accuse of ordering action against peaceful protesters. Students said security staff removed them from the protest site early on October 17, and some were detained by Delhi Police. Indian Opinion reported that the university formed a seven-member high-level committee on October 18 to hold talks. The administration said it is not against elections but had received no formal request.
Jamia's students' union has been absent for years, and the issue has returned after protests at Aligarh Muslim University over union elections. A hunger strike raises the cost of delay for the administration, and the new committee gives both sides a channel to talk.
If you study or work at Jamia, expect classes and campus access to be affected and follow the university's notices. For the demands, rely on official statements rather than social media accounts.
The students' view: a union is a basic part of campus democracy, and removing protesters from the site and detaining some was excessive.
The administration's view, as reported: it is not against elections, it has formed a committee for dialogue, and it cited clashes and classroom disruption as reasons for earlier actions.
Confirmed are the hunger strike, the demands and the seven-member committee. Not confirmed are the number of strikers, which reports put at three to five, and any date for union elections. Watch today for the first meeting of the committee.
DailyDrop India edition No. 16 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 20, 2026