Delhi university protests intensified across Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia and Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) as students continued hunger strikes and sit-ins over administrative policies, disciplinary action, campus access, infrastructure and student representation.
At JNU, an indefinite hunger strike entered its 16th day on Monday after a university general body meeting passed a resolution seeking the withdrawal of the chief proctor’s office manual, which students say penalises protests on campus. Their demands also include action on crumbling infrastructure, restoration of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment, an equal opportunity cell under the proposed Rohith Vemula Act, an inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities and the reinstatement of the university entrance examination in place of the Common University Entrance Test.
Eighteen students, including office-bearers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union, began the protest near Sabarmati T-point on October 3. The Times of India reported that students alleged they were denied medical check-ups after some were rusticated and declared out of bounds. Several protesters were hospitalised. JNUSU president Aditi Mishra reportedly lost more than 6.4 kg, while vice-president Gopika Babau lost 6.2 kg. Nine students remained on hunger strike at the time of the report.
The JNU administration said medical check-ups were being conducted twice daily and that a committee had held two rounds of discussions with protesters. It said an earlier meeting on October 9 had resulted in two groups ending their hunger strikes following assurances. The university also accused rusticated students of damaging public property worth Rs 20 lakh.
At Jamia Millia Islamia, students began a hunger strike on October 12 demanding the restoration of student union elections, which were dissolved in 2006. Tensions rose after protesters alleged that security personnel forcibly removed them from the campus before dawn. Videos later showed protesters pushing against the university’s entrance gate, resulting in parts of it breaking.
Jamia rusticated one hunger striker for an academic year and suspended two others for six months, barring all three from campus. Its Zakir Husain and Old libraries remained closed on Sunday because of security concerns. The university constituted a seven-member committee on Monday to engage with protesters and examine their demands. It cited past incidents of campus violence and said departmental subject-association elections already provided students with a democratic platform.
At AUD, an indefinite sit-in that began on September 28 has focused on the reopening of the main gate, removal of iron barricades, faculty recruitment, infrastructure improvements, restoration of a PhD fee waiver and student representation in decision-making bodies. Students said the main gate had remained closed for more than a year, forcing them to use a back alley.
The protest escalated on October 13 after a confrontation with security personnel during a documentary screening. On October 14, AUD suspended 11 students, barred them from campus and referred the matter for disciplinary inquiry, citing alleged indiscipline, damage to university property and a scuffle with staff. The All India Students’ Association alleged that the action was arbitrary and that some suspended students had not been present during the incident. It has demanded that the suspension orders be revoked and the main gate reopened.
The immediate disputes now involve ongoing hunger strikes, suspended students, closed facilities, access restrictions and committee-level discussions. The universities’ next steps include continued talks at JNU, the seven-member engagement committee at Jamia and disciplinary proceedings at AUD.
