National Desk, 21st March: Candidates vying for positions in the upcoming Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections delivered impassioned speeches to a sizable student audience gathered at the Jhelum Lawn on Wednesday. The presidential debate, overseen by retired Supreme Court Justice V Ramasubramanian, resonated with chants of ‘Jai Bhim,’ ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai,’ and ‘Lal Salam.’
Representatives from various student factions tackled a spectrum of pressing issues, ranging from the Manipur violence and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to farmers’ protests, electoral bonds, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. They also addressed pertinent university-related concerns, appealing to the student electorate.
The discourse commenced with a compelling address from Aradhana Yadav, the lone female presidential contender representing the Samajwadi Party’s student wing. Yadav prioritized campus safety and underscored the need to combat discrimination against women. If elected, she pledged to advocate for minority reservation and the implementation of “deprivation points” to assist students from marginalized backgrounds, particularly women, in gaining admission.
Dhananjay, the presidential candidate endorsed by the United Left Alliance, commenced his speech with a resounding ‘Lal Salam’ and drew attention to escalating fees resulting from Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA) loans acquired by universities. He also highlighted concerns about unemployment and the commercialization of education due to the influx of foreign universities into India.
Dhananjay vowed to address water, health, and infrastructure deficiencies on campus and demanded the release of student leaders detained under sedition charges.
Representing the RSS-affiliated ABVP, presidential candidate Umesh Chandra Ajmira exuded confidence in securing victory and lauded the outfit’s governance achievements while advocating for student rights.
Other speakers included Junaid Raza from NSUI and Biswajit Minji from BAPSA.
The JNUSU elections are slated for March 22, with results expected to be announced on March 24.
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