Jamia Millia Islamia Initiates Process to Draft Constitution for Student Union Elections

Constitution Drafting Process

Jamia Millia Islamia has announced plans to draft a new constitution to facilitate the resumption of student union elections, a process that has remained suspended for two decades. University administration officials, led by Registrar Prof. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, stated that the drafting committee will comprise university professors, legal experts, and student representatives from each faculty. The inclusion of students is intended to ensure democratic participation and inclusivity in the formative stages.

Timeline and Procedural Steps

According to the administration's stated roadmap, the following steps are planned for the implementation of the new electoral framework:

• Draft Finalization: The draft is expected to be completed and approved by May 15, 2027.
• Stakeholder Feedback: Once the initial draft is prepared, it will be circulated among stakeholders for comments and suggestions.
• Legal and Administrative Review: Following feedback, the document will undergo legal scrutiny before being presented to the Academic Council and the Executive Council.
• Final Approval: The final draft will be submitted to the Visitor’s nominee for authorization.
• Elections: Upon the constitution's implementation, polls are scheduled to be held within six weeks of the start of the new academic session, which begins on July 16, 2027.

Context of the Resumption

The decision follows an 18-day hunger strike by students that began on October 12, aimed at demanding the restoration of student body elections. The last student union election at the university took place in 2005. The union was subsequently suspended in 2006 by the university administration, citing instances of student unrest, campus violence, and disruptions to academic activities.

Historical Background

The issue of student elections has previously been a subject of litigation. In 2022, the matter reached the Delhi High Court; however, the court disposed of the case without issuing a directive for the university to hold elections at that time. The current process is intended to align with the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, which provides guidelines for student body elections in higher education institutions across India.

Verification

Interested parties can verify official updates and the status of the constitutional drafting process through the official website of Jamia Millia Islamia or by reviewing formal notifications issued by the university's Registrar office.