Delhi Police impose prohibitory orders at Jamia amid 16-day student protest
Synopsis
On the 16th day of a hunger strike at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi Police invoked Section 163 BNSS and deployed paramilitary forces outside the campus gate — even as the university accepted student demands in principle but refused to commit to a timeline, leaving the standoff unresolved.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police posted prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS outside Gate No.
7 of Jamia Millia Islamia on 27 October .
Students have been on a hunger strike since 12 October — now entering Day 16 — demanding restoration of the JMISU and removal of the Chief Proctor .
The university administration agreed to hold students' union elections and form a constitution drafting committee but provided no timeline .
Students formally rejected the administration's announcement, calling it insufficient and reaffirming the hunger strike will continue.
Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel has been stationed outside the university following the prohibitory order.
Delhi Police on Tuesday, 27 October posted a prohibitory order notice outside Gate No. 7 of Jamia Millia Islamia University, invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as a student agitation entered its 16th consecutive day. The notice warns of legal action and potential use of force against unlawful gatherings, meetings, or processions on the premises.
Security Tightened Outside Jamia
Following the invocation of prohibitory orders, heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel has been positioned outside Gate No. 7. The notice explicitly prohibits assemblies and processions in the area, signalling an escalation in the administration's response to the ongoing unrest. This marks a notable hardening of the official stance after more than two weeks of protests.
What the Students Are Demanding
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia have been on a hunger strike since 12 October, demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) and the removal of the university's Chief Proctor over an alleged crackdown on protesters. Their formally submitted demands now include a clear and time-bound roadmap for a Students' Union Constitution and elections, revocation of all disciplinary actions against protesters, and the resignation of the Chief Security Advisor.
'No protesting students will apologise for implementing their constitutional right of peacefully protesting,' the students stated in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor.
University Administration's Response and the Standoff
The Jamia Millia Islamia administration on Monday announced it would hold students' union elections and constitute a committee to draft a students' union constitution, also indicating that disciplinary action against protesters would be revoked. However, the administration did not provide any timeline for these steps — a gap that students say is unacceptable.
Students formally rejected this announcement, stating it 'fails to provide a clear and unambiguous commitment' to their demands. In their letter, they reiterated: 'Until these demands are met, we will be continuing our hunger strike and the peaceful protest.' The standoff, now in its third week, shows no immediate signs of resolution.
What Happens Next
The student body has called on the university administration to issue a concrete commitment with stipulated timelines for the formation of a democratically elected students' union. With prohibitory orders now in place and security reinforced, the situation outside Jamia's gates remains tense. The university's next formal response — and whether it includes a firm timeline — is expected to be the decisive factor in determining how the protest evolves.
Point of View
The risk of a medical emergency is real — and the absence of a concrete timeline transforms what should be a procedural question into a constitutional flashpoint.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are students protesting at Jamia Millia Islamia?
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia have been on a hunger strike since 12 October, demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU), the removal of the Chief Proctor over an alleged crackdown on protesters, and disciplinary action against protesters be revoked. The protest entered its 16th day on 27 October.
What is Section 163 BNSS and why was it invoked at Jamia?
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) empowers police to impose prohibitory orders banning unlawful gatherings, meetings, and processions in a specified area. Delhi Police invoked it outside Gate No. 7 of Jamia Millia Islamia on 27 October to restrict assemblies, warning of legal action and use of force in case of violations.
Has the Jamia administration agreed to the students' demands?
The Jamia Millia Islamia administration announced on Monday that it would hold students' union elections and form a committee to draft a students' union constitution, and that disciplinary action against protesters would be revoked. However, it did not provide a timeline, which students have rejected as insufficient.
What are the specific demands the students have submitted?
The students have formally submitted three key demands: a clear timeline for the Students' Union Constitution and elections, revocation of all disciplinary actions against protesting students, and the resignation of the Chief Security Advisor. They have said the protest will continue until all demands are fully addressed with firm commitments.
What happens if the prohibitory orders are violated at Jamia?
The notice posted by Delhi Police warns that violation of Section 163 BNSS will invite legal action and, if necessary, the use of force. Heavy police and paramilitary deployment has been positioned outside Gate No. 7 to enforce the order.
