The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has formally demanded the immediate restoration of student union elections at Delhi University (DU). The elections have been suspended since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Formal Representation to University Authorities
In a significant move, the ABVP's Delhi unit submitted a detailed memorandum to the office of Delhi University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Yogesh Singh. The memorandum strongly advocates for the revival of the democratic process to elect student representatives. The ABVP argues that the prolonged suspension undermines the spirit of campus democracy and denies students their rightful platform for representation and issue resolution.
The last full-fledged Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections were held in 2019. For the subsequent years, the university administration has appointed student representatives through a nomination process, citing health and safety concerns related to the pandemic. The ABVP contends that this temporary measure has now persisted for too long.
The Core Arguments for Democratic Revival
The student body has put forth several key points in its appeal to the administration. A primary argument is that student unions play a crucial role in addressing academic and infrastructural issues faced by the student community. They serve as a formal bridge for dialogue between the student body and the university administration.
Furthermore, the ABVP emphasizes that campus elections are a foundational experience in democratic participation for young adults. They provide practical lessons in leadership, governance, and civic responsibility, which are integral to the holistic development of students. The continued reliance on nominated representatives, according to the memorandum, deprives students of this essential learning experience.
Administrative Hurdles and the Path Forward
While the demand gains traction among sections of the student populace, the university administration has previously cited logistical and regulatory challenges in resuming the polls. The implementation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, which govern student election procedures across Indian universities, requires careful planning and resource allocation.
The ABVP's memorandum signals a renewed and organized push to place the issue at the forefront of the university's agenda. The outcome of this demand is being closely watched, as it will set a precedent for student political activity and democratic engagement in one of India's most prominent universities. The ball is now in the court of the DU administration to respond to this call for restoring a decades-old tradition of student union polls.
