Sri Vijaya Puram | February 17, 2026
Amid the island-wide Andaman Bandh observed on Monday, the Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University (JAF) on Monday evening announced a temporary call-off of the ongoing student protest, while making it clear that the agitation would continue in a phased and peaceful manner until the students’ demands are met.
The announcement was made during a press conference held after 6 PM on February 16.
Advocate Mr. Rakesh Pal Gobind, Co-Convener of the Forum, addressed the media in the presence of other members of the Forum, including Mr. G. Bhasker, Convener of the Forum.
Addressing reporters, Mr. Gobind thanked residents across the Islands for extending support to the students, who have been staging a protest for over 10 days outside JNRM over the issue of the deemed university notification.
He stated that the bandh witnessed participation and support from Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Kadamtala, Baratang, South Andaman, Hut Bay, Kamorta, Campbell Bay, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), Shaheed Dweep (Neil), and several other regions, describing it as a reflection of “island-wide solidarity” with the students’ cause.
Clarifying that the agitation has not been withdrawn, Mr. Gobind announced that students will resume regular classes and continue their protest daily from 2 PM to 5 PM after college hours. Demonstrations will be held outside respective colleges or JNRM (as decided by the students), in a peaceful manner.
“As of today, we are temporarily calling off the continuous protest, but the movement will continue. Until the demands of the students are fulfilled, the struggle will not stop,” he said.
He emphasized that the decision was taken keeping in mind the academic future of the students. With attendance requirements and coursework progressing, prolonged class boycotts could adversely impact the students, he noted.
Mr. Gobind further informed that the Forum would be approaching the High Court on behalf of the students’ unions. Simultaneously, representations would be submitted through various political parties to their Members of Parliament, urging them to raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session in March.
The Forum has also sought appointments with the Union Education Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office to present what it described as the ground realities of the Islands, arguing that the deemed university model is “not practically implementable” in its present form.
During the interaction, Mr. Gobind raised concerns over what he termed the partial modification of the gazette notification, questioning whether a notification issued in the name of the President of India could be altered at the administrative level. He urged the administration to clarify its legal position.
Responding to media queries, he referred to the government’s indication that the 2025–26 batch would continue under Pondicherry University affiliation, but maintained that complete clarity in accordance with the original gazette notification was necessary.
On reports of certain BJP leaders resigning over the issue, Mr. Gobind said the Forum would not comment on internal party matters but welcomed any move that supports the students’ cause.
He also appealed to all student associations to maintain strict discipline and law and order during demonstrations. “The protest must remain peaceful. No illegal activity should take place, and no opportunity should be given for any action against students,” he said.
The Forum expressed gratitude to several political parties and numerous community organisations, trade bodies, youth clubs, NGOs, transport associations, fishermen groups, hotel and restaurant associations, bar associations, and other social organisations for their support during the bandh. The media was also acknowledged for amplifying the students’ voices across the Islands.
With the temporary call-off now in effect, the agitation enters a new phase — combining legal action, political outreach, and continued daily demonstrations — as students press for reconsideration of the deemed university notification.
