On 25th November, the long-awaited results of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections were finally announced. NSUI’s Rounak Khatri and Lokesh Choudhary won the positions of President and Joint Secretary, respectively, while ABVP’s Bhanu Pratap Singh and Mitravinda Karanwal secured the posts of Vice President and Secretary. This outcome reflected a close competition between ABVP and NSUI for the four contested seats.
Historical Significance of DUSU Elections
The DUSU elections have been a significant factor in university administration and general elections since they were first held in 1954. Over fifty-one thousand students from 52 colleges and faculties affiliated with DUSU cast their votes in September to elect candidates for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary. This election marked a significant comeback for the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), which had only been able to secure the Vice President’s position in the previous term. The political landscape of Delhi University had been predominantly influenced by the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in a clash of ideologies, particularly with NSUI and a left-aligned coalition of AISA and SFI.
Delayed Results Amid Legal Interventions
This year’s elections attracted attention for several reasons, the most notable being the delay in the announcement of results. The results were initially supposed to be declared on 28th September but were postponed due to a Delhi High Court order. This order was issued in response to an application filed by Advocate Prashant Manchanda regarding large-scale defacement caused during the election campaign. The High Court directed candidates to file affidavits and clean up the campus at their own expense. Meanwhile, the Lyngdoh Committee's recommendations, aimed at reducing the influence of money, muscle power, and other unlawful practices in university elections, received renewed attention. These recommendations state that the maximum permitted expenditure per candidate is Rs. 5000, but student groups often exploit loopholes, such as misspelling names on banners to disclaim ownership of such materials. In light of the extensive expenditure and defacement, Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that candidates have no right to "mutilate the walls" and graffiti of the university. The university will have to bear the expenses incurred by the municipal authorities, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and government departments, for removing the defacement, though it will have the right to recover these costs from the candidates later in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.
Election Promises and Unmet Expectations
Although no formal manifesto has been officially released, promises focusing on student welfare are evident. This election's agenda revolves around critical issues, such as the New Education Policy, transportation, and women's safety on campus. Some students express indifference towards politics, voting based on personal relationships, while others feel disappointed by the lack of substantial action on pre-election promises. One candidate from last year, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that arrangements for negotiating significant issues like transportation fee concessions with Delhi Metro are not in place. Shuttle buses require funding and effective management.
Women’s Representation: A Persistent Issue
Women's safety remains a crucial issue, and the status of women's inclusivity can be seen through the elections as well. Women’s colleges, designed to provide a secure environment for female students in the bustling capital, often become targets for election campaigns, with campaigners frequently trespassing into institutions like Miranda House. Earlier, Shabana Hussain, a student from the Faculty of Law, filed a petition calling for 50 percent women's reservation for DUSU office bearers. Typically, ABVP and NSUI nominate no more than one woman on their candidate lists. In over 65 years of DUSU elections, only 10 women have been elected as presidents. Mitravinda Karanwal, ABVP’s Secretary candidate, commented: “We are not concerned about women’s reservation. ABVP empowers women through genuine representation. I am a prime example." Additionally, students from Lady Shri Ram College for Women tend to vote infrequently, and no visible election campaign has emerged in their vicinity, as noted by an anonymous respondent from LSR.
Nevertheless, the elections at Delhi University boast a storied history of leadership, contributing to the success of many current influential leaders in India. Notable alumni include former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, ex-BJP minister Vijay Goel, former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Congress MP Ajay Maken, and All India Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba. These former student leaders have witnessed a historical journey, from being arrested during the national emergency in 1975 to participating in recent protests, such as the ‘Scrap NTA’ movement.