NEW DELHI — Jamia Millia Islamia did not celebrate its 106th Foundation Day with a chief guest or flag hoisting by the VC. It celebrated it by winning it back.
On October 29, 1920, Jamia was born in Aligarh during Non-Cooperation Movement as an act of defiance — a university that refused to be loyal to the Raj. On October 29, 2026, exactly 106 years later, it reminded the country why it was built.
After 18 days of sit-in at Gulistan-e-Ghalib lawns, indefinite hunger strike, and a complete campus lockdown, the administration finally blinked.
What the administration announced:
In an order by the Registrar on Foundation Day evening, Jamia said:
1. Classes back offline from November 8. The absurd online semesters till Nov 24 and online exams in December stand revoked.
2. JMISU Constitution to be approved and implemented by May 15, 2027.
3. Elections within six weeks of start of new academic session — around mid-August 2027.
4. All show-cause notices, suspensions, expulsions, and campus entry bans against protesting students to be withdrawn.
The protest, which began October 12 demanding restoration of Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU), ends with victory celebrations.
Why this is historic:
JMISU was dissolved in 2006 after administration cited "violent clashes and attack on VC". Since then, 20 years — no elected representation. From 2012, admin hid behind a pending Delhi High Court petition. For two generations of Jamia students, there was no union to negotiate fees, fight for hostels, handle sexual harassment cases, or stand against the state.
What happened instead:
- *Dec 15, 2019:* Delhi Police entered library and toilets, beat students inside during anti-CAA protests. Visuals shocked India.
- *2022-25:* Hostel fee hikes, scrapping of reservation discussions, increased surveillance.
- *Oct 24, 2026:* To break the union protest, administration moved all courses online, shut library, canteen and main gates, isolating students inside. It also announced cancellation of Foundation Day and Talimi Mela (Oct 29 - Nov 1).
Students responded by holding their own flag hoisting at 10 am on Oct 29, with NCC salute, national anthem, Jamia Tarana, and a press conference by hunger strikers — while police loudspeakers outside played Section 163 prohibitory orders on loop.
The compromise:
Students demanded constitution by Dec 20, 2026 and elections within 15 days after. Administration gave May 15 + mid-August. It's delayed, but it's dated — which was the sticking point in earlier failed talks on Oct 26. For the first time, there is a written timeline, not a verbal promise.
The faculty assembly that condemned "defacement of walls with objectionable slogans harming nation's integrity" also had to accept that you cannot deface an idea with paint.
What remains:
A win, but watchful. Will the constitution be democratic or a nominated body in disguise? Will Lyngdoh Committee age limits be used to disqualify activists? Will elections actually happen in August 2027 without another excuse?
For now, Jamia's lesson for every central university — from Hyderabad to JNU to Allahabad where student unions are banned or crippled — is simple:
"You moved us from Aligarh to Karol Bagh to Okhla.
You teargassed us in 2019.
You locked us out in 2026."
Still standing. Because Jamia was never made of brick.
106 and unbroken.
*Tags:* #JamiaMilliaIslamia #JMISU #JamiaWins #106YearsOfJamia #StudentUnion #GulistanEGhalib #Delhi #AntiCAA #CampusDemocracy