The contrast was all too apparent. As polling was on in full swing at the prestigious Delhi University to elect the next Students’ Union on 12 September, youngsters affiliated to different organisations did not hesitate to litter the streets with umpteen number of pamphlets, which flashed the names of the candidates in bold. Yet, just metres away, two children no more than 10 years old were picking up the leaflets and stuffing a gunny bag, unassumingly.
The campus of one of the largest universities in India is one where students usually refrain from smoking in full public view, but today was an exception.
(Catch all the live updates on the DUSU elections here)
The Students’ Union elections, which are an annual affair, have usually been a contest between Congress’ National Students Union of India (NSUI) and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). However, for the last few years, the ABVP has managed to keep an upper-hand, having won all the four central posts (of president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary) in 2014 and 2015, and winning three out of four last year.
Among the other parties that have been in the fray are the left-leaning All India Students Association (AISA) and the Students Federation of India (SFI).
Many of the students who The Quint spoke to when they had come to cast their vote were not very hopeful of a positive change with the coming of a new students’ union council.
“Muscle power, money power and hooliganism” have been the mainstay of DU politics, some of them pointed out.
But they regarded casting a vote as an important duty to be fulfilled, calling it “fundamental” and “constitutional”, and one which “empowers” students.
Harshita, a student from the campus law centre, said she had come to vote for “change”, which in her view was having “more space for dissent”.
I would want more people to vote. Even if they want to go for NOTA, they should still vote.Harshita, DU student
Suman, an MA Hindi student in DU, decided to not be neutral this time round, as he supported an independent candidate, whose intellect, he pointed out, would be a welcome change from the “hooliganism” of the ABVP and NSUI if he gets elected.
When asked what aspects they would want to be addressed by a new students’ union, the students listed out safety, cleanliness and holding of regular classes as priorities.
We want to see less of muscle power and more of intellect. Those seeing DU from outside might be very impressed by it. But it is only when you enter it do you realise that many of the things are hollow.Nishchay, DU student
The demands of the students are clear-cut. Yet, when one glance sidewards shows young ragpickers picking up the waste that has been strewn around by the supposed leaders of tomorrow, one cannot hope much from yet another new students’ council.
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