Campus Tensions Peak at Jamia Millia Islamia

New Delhi — Jamia Millia Islamia administration has ordered the indefinite closure of two of its prominent campus facilities, the Dr Zakir Husain Library and the Old Library, effective Saturday, October 24, 2026. University officials cited mounting security concerns as the primary driver behind the shutdown, which comes in the wake of persistent student demonstrations demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU).

The student union has remained disbanded since 2006, following campus clashes that authorities argued severely disrupted academic operations. Current student agitators, however, maintain that an elected representative body is essential for addressing campus grievances and fostering democratic student engagement.

Escalation of Protests and Hunger Strikes

The ongoing agitation, which commenced on October 12, has seen escalating friction between the student body and the university administration. Protesters have resorted to indefinite hunger strikes and established encampments across designated areas of the campus.

The situation took a volatile turn when university security personnel allegedly attempted to dismantle student protest tents. The All India Students' Association (AISA) strongly condemned the administration's intervention, characterizing the security crackdown as heavy-handed and unprovoked.

Growing Political Interventions

The campus unrest has transcended local administrative boundaries, drawing significant attention from national lawmakers. Earlier this week, on October 21, CPI(M) Member of Parliament John Brittas formally addressed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, expressing deep concern over the nearly two-decade-long absence of democratic student representation at the central university.

Concurrently, the administration has pushed back against external political interference. Jamia Registrar Mahtab Alam Rizvi publicly asserted that recent visits to the campus by Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood severely disrupted the peace and academic environment. University officials confirmed that formal complaints regarding the visit have been lodged with the Delhi Police.

Impact on Academic Life

The abrupt closure of the Dr Zakir Husain Library and the Old Library has dealt a severe blow to the student body, heavily disrupting research schedules, exam preparations, and daily study routines. While the university administration has urged students to cooperate with the restrictive measures for safety reasons, student leaders have signaled that their agitation for union elections will continue unabated despite mounting pressure.