India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Slogans such as “Free Kashmir” and “Bring Islam Back” have been spotted painted on the walls of Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi amid ongoing agitation by the students demanding reinstatement of the students’ union.
Slogans appeared on Jamia Millia Islamia walls amidst student protests demanding union elections; the university formed a committee to draft a constitution by December 20, but students reject this, calling for an immediate election schedule.
Apart from these slogans, there were also slogans directed at the RSS, ABVP and the university’s vice-chancellor. This news caused resentment in ABVP, demanding immediate steps to be taken against the culprits behind these slogans.
Police was seen guarding the university premises as a precautionary step, and tight security has been maintained in the college as well. It is said that the students were being stopped before entering into the departments or centers.
The administration of the college condemned these slogans and assured that the culprits behind these slogans are being searched for. They also stated that the slogans had been erased using chemicals and the CCTV cameras in the area appeared to be tempered.
दिल्ली: जामिया मिल्लिया इस्लामिया विश्वविद्यालय की ओर जाने वाली सड़क पर पुलिस की सघन चेकिंग जारी है। पुलिसकर्मी आने-जाने वाले वाहनों की जांच कर रहे हैं और जांच के बाद ही उन्हें विश्वविद्यालय की ओर जाने दिया जा रहा है। https://t.co/qInWoyUu0w
— IANS Hindi (@IANSKhabar) October 23, 2026
Jamia Administration Begins Probe Into Slogans
One of the university authorities said that the act was highly condemnable and stringent action would be taken against the culprits.
The authorities started the process of tracing the culprits and the removal of the slogans put up on the walls of the university campus. As per one of the officials, there were some CCTV cameras with disconnected or broken wires in the area where these slogans were painted.
The emergence of these slogans is taking place in a scenario when the university is facing a student agitation. However, till now, there has been no confirmation by the authorities regarding the culprits of this act or its connection with the student agitation.
ABVP has expressed concern over these slogans against the organization as well as others.
Why Are Jamia Students Protesting?
जामिया मिलिया इस्लामिया से चौंकाने वाली खबर !पहले “फ्री कश्मीर” और अब कैंपस की दीवारों पर “ब्रिंग बैक इस्लाम” लिखा गया ।ऐसे राष्ट्र-विरोधीयों को चिन्हित कर उन्हें कालेज से निष्कासित करें । https://t.co/1XbE92YI72
— Shrikant Upadhyay (@bjpryvsh) October 23, 2026
The controversy comes amid a student agitation that began on October 12. Protesters are demanding the restoration of elections to the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) and the announcement of an election schedule for the 2026-27 academic session.
Students have been holding an indefinite hunger strike at Ghalib Lawns on the university campus since October 12. They say the protest will continue until the administration officially announces the election dates.
Women students have also joined marches in support of the agitation. They reiterated that they would not call off the protest until the university announced a schedule for the students’ union elections.
Tensions escalated on October 17 when university authorities attempted to remove demonstrators from Ghalib Lawns near Gate No. 7. Several student organisations have since supported the protesters’ demand for the restoration of the union.
Jamia Forms Five-Member Committee To Draft Union Constitution
Amid the continuing agitation, Jamia Millia Islamia has formed a five-member committee to prepare a draft constitution for its students’ union, which was dissolved in 2006.
According to a notification issued by the Registrar’s office, the committee was constituted under Article 23(J) and (K) of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988.
The committee will examine the circumstances surrounding the union’s dissolution in 2006, relevant court rulings and recommendations made by the Lyngdoh Committee on student elections. It will also consult stakeholders, including students, before preparing the draft constitution.
The university has set December 20 as the deadline for the committee to submit its draft.
Students Reject Committee, Demand Election Schedule
The protesting students have rejected the latest notifications, arguing that forming a committee does not address their immediate demand for elections.
Their three main demands are:
- Immediate announcement of the schedule for the 2026-27 JMISU elections.
- Withdrawal of disciplinary action initiated against protesting students.
- Removal of the Chief Proctor and Security Advisor.
The protesters believe the new committee could delay the election process, as it has been asked to submit its draft constitution by December 20.
Students have also objected to a separate notification from the Chief Proctor’s office concerning disciplinary proceedings. The notification said action initiated against students between October 12 at 5.30 pm and October 21 would be reviewed. Students facing such proceedings were advised to approach the Chief Proctor.
However, the notification also warned that incidents occurring after 5.30 pm on October 21 could invite strict disciplinary action.
Hunger Strike To Continue Amid Campus Tensions
The slogans controversy has added another point of tension to the ongoing dispute between the university administration and protesting students.
While the administration has begun efforts to identify those responsible for writing the slogans, the students continue to press for an official election notification and schedule.
The protesters have maintained that their indefinite hunger strike will continue until the university addresses their demands. The immediate challenge for the administration is to investigate the slogans incident while managing the continuing agitation over the students’ union elections.
