Jamia Issues Final Notice to Hunger-Striking Student Rehan Khan, Warns of Legal Action

Jamia Millia Islamia has issued a final notice to first-semester student Rehan Khan, directing him to vacate the university’s north campus protest site over the demand for student union elections. The notice warned of disciplinary and legal action if he failed to comply.

The notice, issued by the chief proctor on October 26, came amid an ongoing protest over the university’s assurance that student union elections would be held within 15 days of approval of the union constitution. Protesters have demanded a fixed deadline for approving the constitution, saying the administration has not specified when the process would be completed.

According to the university, the protesters’ charter of demands had been accepted in principle. The administration said most protesters subsequently ended their hunger strike and vacated the buildings housing the Departments of Political Science and Economics, along with the sit-in site.

However, Khan continued his hunger strike, the university said. A delegation of senior faculty members and officials met him on Monday and urged him to end the protest, but the talks did not resolve the dispute.

The chief proctor’s notice alleged that the continued occupation of Gulistan-e-Ghalib, which houses the two departments, was disrupting their functioning. The administration also alleged that locks had been broken and university property damaged, and said former students were present on the campus.

The university directed Khan and his companions to vacate the building and the protest site at Ghalib Lawn, warning that disciplinary and legal proceedings could follow if they did not comply.

Amid the continuing agitation, the university extended online classes until November 8, including through the Diwali holidays. It also decided to conduct second mid-term semester examinations online, with departments to determine the schedules and arrangements in consultation with the Controller of Examinations.

The administration said the situation would be reviewed after November 8. The dispute remains centred on the approval of the student union constitution, which must precede the election process. The university has announced a 15-day window for holding elections after approval but has not specified a separate deadline for the constitution’s approval.