The ongoing agitation at Jamia Millia Islamia by students demanding the restoration of the university's student union, the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), entered its 16th day on Tuesday. The students, who are also seeking a firm date and schedule for elections, have refused to withdraw their protest despite a recent administrative decision to conduct polls within 15 days of the union’s constitution being approved.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed the situation on Tuesday, noting that negotiations with the protesting students are currently underway. He expressed concern over the potential for law-and-order issues on the campus and appealed to the students to exercise restraint. "Many efforts have been made … there have been no elections since 2006, for more than a decade. Negotiations are underway. Nobody should try to create a law-and-order problem. That is my appeal," the Minister stated, adding that the university administration, including the Vice-Chancellor, is working to address the remaining points of contention.
Security measures around the university remained stringent throughout the day. More than 15 police buses and various riot-control vehicles were stationed outside the campus, with personnel carrying tear gas shells. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the vicinity, with officials issuing announcements requesting that individuals avoid gathering in groups near the protest site.
Inside the campus, more than 200 students remain gathered at the Ghulistan-e-Ghalib compound. Organizers claim the university has effectively cordoned off the area, sealing gates and restricting access to canteens and essential facilities. Protesters have relied on food and water supplies delivered over boundary walls by supporters. Within the Political Science block, students are maintaining a rotation to sustain the protest and their ongoing hunger strike.
According to student organizers, the physical toll of the protest is rising. A makeshift whiteboard at the site recorded weight loss among participants, with some individuals showing signs of extreme weakness. Student organizer Haneena noted that the lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, including bathrooms, has become a significant concern for the women participating in the demonstration.
University officials stated they have attempted to engage with the students to reach a resolution, citing safety concerns and the need for normalcy on campus. Two separate delegations—the first consisting of women faculty members and the second involving the provost—visited the students on Tuesday. A university official expressed that framing a constitution is a deliberate, structured process that cannot be rushed, and urged students to end the hunger strike to facilitate further dialogue.
However, the student representatives reported that both rounds of discussions on Tuesday ended in a deadlock. Haneena emphasized that the students are seeking a concrete timeline, pointing out that the establishment of the student union is a legal duty under the Jamia Act and is supported by Supreme Court directives. As the situation persists, the campus remains under heavy surveillance, with both the administration and the protesters remaining at an impasse.
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