Jamia students to end agitation after university meets most demands: What Lyngdoh Committee recommendations say | Today’s news
In a breakthrough for Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) students, the university on Thursday set May 15, 2027 as the deadline for the approval and implementation of the student union constitution, while urging the protesting students to call off their agitation.
Citing an order issued by the university management on Thursday, ANI announced that the elections will be held within six weeks of the commencement of the next academic session. Following the order, the students called off their protests. The order read: “The approval and implementation of the Constitution of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union will be completed by 15 May 2027.”
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Why did JMI students protest?
The development comes after a prolonged protest began on October 12 where students demanded the revival of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), which was dissolved in 2006. The students also sought the announcement of a final schedule for the student union elections.
JMISU was disbanded following repeated incidents of violent clashes, attacks on teachers and occasional disruption of classes during this period. The administration also claimed that student representatives had begun interfering in administrative matters and that the union’s activities were affecting the academic environment.
On Tuesday, the protest entered its 16th day, with students continuing their hunger strike and demonstrations despite the university announcing that student union elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the union constitution.
The university has also moved classes online from October 24 due to the tensions associated with the protests, the Indian Express reported on Tuesday, with the order extending the arrangement till November 8. The university has announced that online classes will continue for all courses, while the second semester exams will also be conducted online.
Tensions further escalated on Monday after clashes broke out between protesters and paramilitary personnel during heightened security around the campus.
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She further said that once the constitution is approved, the university will issue a notification for holding elections in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the Lyngdoh Committee on Student Union Regulations. The order stated: “The election will take place within 6 weeks of the commencement of the academic session, i.e. approximately 6 weeks from 16 July 2027.”
Why was the Lyngdoh Committee set up and what did it recommend?
On 12 December 2005, the Supreme Court ordered the Human Resource Development Ministry to set up an expert panel, The Hindu reported, saying the court wanted to examine violence, money and political interference in campus politics.
The Lyngdoh Committee recommended that universities and colleges generally elect their student representatives. Nominations may only be used as a temporary measure if campus conditions do not permit a free and fair vote. Such institutions were expected to implement an election-based system within five years.
It allowed institutions to adopt direct, indirect or hybrid voting models. The panel favored direct surveys for smaller, single-campus universities, while suggesting an indirect system for large, multi-campus universities.
Student elections should be held annually, six to eight weeks after the start of the academic session. The entire process, from submission of nominations to declaration of results, including campaigning, should be completed within 10 days.
