Full Breakdown
Jamia Millia Islamia Shifts to Online Classes Amid Student-Union Protests
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Online Teaching, Library Closures and Campus Clashes
The notice ordered the closure of the Dr Zakir Husain Library and the Old Library after security guards moved to dismantle tents used by protesters, some of whom were on a hunger strike that began on October 12.
Background & Context
Jamia Millia Islamia’s Students’ Union was dissolved in 2006 after campus violence. Since October 12, five students have been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the restoration of an elected union, the withdrawal of disciplinary actions, and the removal of the Chief Proctor and Security Advisor. The protest has drawn support from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and political figures from the Congress and Samajwadi parties.
Timeline
- Oct 12 – Hunger strike begins.
- Oct 16 – University suspends three protesters for a year.
- Oct 17 – Over 100 security guards entered the protest site, allegedly “manhandling” hunger-strikers.
- Oct 18 – High-level committee formed to engage protesters.
- Oct 21 – Registrar Mahtab Alam Rizvi filed a police complaint alleging that Congress MPs disturbed the campus.
- Oct 24 – Classes shifted online; libraries closed as a “precautionary measure.”
- Oct 29 – Nov 1 – Planned “Talimi Mela” cultural event cancelled.
Official Statements & Responses
- Registrar Mahtab Alam Rizvi said the online shift and library closures are “precautionary measures” to protect students and maintain academic continuity.
- The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences cancelled the Talimi Mela, citing safety concerns.
- A seven-member high-level committee was formed on Oct 18 to draft a new union constitution, with a deadline of December 20 for the draft.
- The administration reported that a medical team under Chief Medical Officer Dr Irshad Husain Naqvi is monitoring the health of hunger-strikers and that an ambulance is stationed at the protest site.
Criticism & Opposition
- Union Minister Giriraj Singh framed the campus slogans as a threat to national unity.
- Student leader Saurabh Tripathi (AISA) argued that moving classes online is intended to “confine” students and suppress the movement.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Student Abin Basil said guards removed the protest tent, moved hunger-strikers into the Faculty of Economics building, and called an ambulance to detain them, while other students prevented the detention.
- Haneena Bint Omar, a third-year law student, reported that protesters have been sitting at Gulistan-e-Ghalib for days and that security staff attempted to dismantle their tents.
- Jasim Ali Khan, a hunger-striker, labeled the administration’s actions a “crackdown” and demanded the resignation of the Chief Proctor.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The presence of “Free Kashmir” and “Free Sharjeel Imam” slogans on campus walls is disputed. Imran Masood (Congress MP) asserted that no such slogans were raised, while other sources reported them and noted that the university is investigating their origin. No independent verification has been provided.
What’s Next
- The five-member committee must submit a draft union constitution by December 20 2026.
- The university has not set a date for resuming in-person classes; the online arrangement remains “until further notice.”
- Protesters have pledged to continue their hunger strike until an official election schedule is announced.
- The cancelled Talimi Mela will not be rescheduled, and library closures remain in effect pending further security assessments.