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September 11, 2014

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Q. What brought you in student politics? How has your experience with AISA been? A. I joined AISA after witnessing its campaign post the 16 December gangrape incident. I joined student politics because I realised there were many problems I kept complaining about, but was never able to do anything. I think AISA is giving me the right platform to solve problems. There are thousands of students like me, but someone had to take the first step. Q. DUSU has always been weak on voter turnout. Why is that? A. Students are frustrated with the way things are going. Had there been a party that has genuine concerns for the University, students would have voted in large numbers. For the past 30-35 years, DUSU has been a defunct body. Q. If you could change one thing about DU, regardless of you being in DUSU or not, what would it be? A. (points at a pile of political posters on the ground) This is what I would like to change. 10636305_783628758347286_7024087662111082276_n Q. What would be the first thing you do as DUSU president? A. I would ensure that, as Delhi University Act instructs, DUSU representation is maintained in all Executive Council meetings so that incidents like the FYUP mess can be averted. If we’re able to achieve this, we could possibly stop issues from reaching the point of time-consuming protests by nipping them in the bud. Q. How challenging is it to be relatively new or less established in DU politics? A. The more you advertise yourself, the more people know you. If you pick up this poster (picks up an ABVP poster from the ground), all you can see is ballot numbers and names. That’s all they want you to know about them. It becomes difficult for AISA since we do not believe in littering the campus or bypassing Lyngdoh Committee’s guidelines. But AISA has been making its presence felt in DU for the past few years. We were the only party to have protested since the time when the Executive Council was being briefed by the VC about FYUP. Q. Many people believe all Left bodies to be faces of Naxal violence. How misinformed are these people? Do you face this challenge frequently? A. Very misinformed and yes, we face this challenge every day. India’s education system does not teach what Left means and thus people tend to form misconceptions. Left aims at equality and we aspire for a society with no classes. This is neither violent nor a bad idea. Q. If you had to differentiate AISA from other parties in one sentence, how would you do it? A. Our student-based issue-oriented politics versus hooliganism. Q. What’s your take on the guidelines of Lyngdoh Committee? A. Some rules are silly like the expenditure cap. We have raised our voice for reforms in the guidelines of the Committee. Yet, AISA is the only body to be completely adhering to Lyngdoh Committee’s guidelines. Q. What message would you like to convey to that average DU student who is annoyed by polluting campaigns and is contemplating on whether to wake up or not to vote for a Union more or less defunct? A. You all will see change the day we enter office.  ]]>

With a few hours to go for Delhi University Students’ Union Elections, the election phase witnesses two highlight contesting parties fighting over another accusational controversy. Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on 9th September accused National Students Union of India’s (NSUI) two contesting candidates of fraudulent admissions.

Alleging that NSUI’s Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate produced fake documents, ABVP demands cancellation of nomination and admission of these candidates and students.

I. “Gaurav Tushir concealed information about his habit of migrating” – ABVP

Case Overview – According to the rival party ABVP, NSUI’s presidential candidate Gaurav Tushir failed in Hans Raj College as a first year student in 2011. He then sat as a fresher in Satyawati College in 2012 not letting out his details about his previous admission. His admission at Satyawati was later cancelled. ABVP also claims that he misled the college authorities repeatedly as he then took admission to Motilal Nehru College (again as a Ist year student) without giving any information about his previous student records.

ABVP’s stand – “We have all the evidences. Documents have been presented to the authorities. Principal, Motilal Nehru College found our complaints valid and wrote to the principal at Satyawati College (refer to Evidence 1.1) who in reply confirmed Tushir’s student records in his college”, says Saket Bahuguna, Delhi State Secretary, ABVP.

[caption id="attachment_25926" align="aligncenter" width="547"]Evidence 1.1 - Letter from Principal, Motilal Nehru College to The Principal Satyawati College Evidence 1.1 – Letter from Principal, Motilal Nehru College to The Principal Satyawati College[/caption]

NSUI’s stand – “These are all such false claims. Tushir has cleared the case and we have not received any action from the University, which means we are not at fault. This is part of ABVP’s agenda to gain limelight, as they are not doing well with the campaigning. There is a lot of pressure from the Modi government and the HRD ministry. Smriti Irani is well aware about it. This is just to win the elections.”, said Mohit Sharma, NSUI Delhi Secretary in the party’s defence.

Action taken – CEO for DUSU Elections Prof Rawat says, “We cannot take any action. Principal of Motilal Nehru College has to look into it. If they cancel his admission, he can no longer contest.” Nothing has been done till now. ABVP also stated that now Motilal Nehru College’s principal is deviating and not taking any stand. “We don’t know if he is bribed or pressurized. But he is now delaying the matter. We want the admission to be cancelled after which they will no longer be eligible to contest”, remarked Bahuguna.

Gaurav Tushir was also called in by the Prinicipal, Motilal Nehru College to contact the administration to clear his stand on the matter. (refer to Evidence 1.2)

[caption id="attachment_25929" align="aligncenter" width="550"]Evidence 1.2 -Gaurav Tushir instructed to contact office at Motilal Nehru College Evidence 1.2 -Gaurav Tushir instructed to contact office at Motilal Nehru College[/caption]
 

 II. “ABVP’s vice presidential candidate is a criminal. How can he contest the elections?” – NSUI

Case Overview – Parvesh Malik (ABVP) who is contesting for the post of Vice President is accused of having a criminal record. Malik who is having an FIR on his name cannot contest for elections according to NSUI (refer to evidence 2.1). The FIR accused him of an assault at a college event last year. CEO for DUSU elections had also issued a notice to Malik regarding the same.

[caption id="attachment_25925" align="aligncenter" width="581"]Evidence 2.1 - Copy of the First Information Report (FIR) Evidence 2.1 – Copy of the First Information Report (FIR)[/caption]

NSUI’s stand – “They are pointing fingers at us as they want to hide their own crimes. Pravesh Malik is a criminal and he cannot contest for Elections. As per Lyngdoh Committee rules a criminal cannot contest for DUSU elections. University never intervened in this case. I feel a criminal cannot act as an office bearer for the most prestigious University”, says Roji Joh, National President, NSUI.

ABVP’s Stand – “Yes we agree that there is an FIR against Malik. But student activism involves all this. They take part is student protests and demonstrations all the time. The point here is that it was just an FIR and no charges were proved. Lyngdoh Committee rules state a criminal should be tried or convicted to be disqualified from contesting (refer to Evidence 2.2). There is no such eveience and hence, no violation of rule. ”, says Rohit Chahal, National Secetary for ABVP.

[caption id="attachment_25927" align="aligncenter" width="663"]Evidence 2.2 - Page 48 of Lyngdoh Committee Report regarding criminal disqualification Evidence 2.2 – Page 48 of Lyngdoh Committee Report regarding criminal disqualification[/caption]

Action taken – The notice was put up on the University website but later withdrawn as there was no proof that Malik is convicted or tried. Prof. Rawat, CEO for DUSU elections says, “This case has been put forward to the legal cell of Delhi University. They are looking into it.” No further information has been received till now.


III. “Mona, VP candidate from NSUI presented fake documents or took two degrees at the same time” – ABVP

Case Overview – Mona Chaudhary (real name Mona Siwach) graduated from Kirori Mal College in 2013 but failed in the last semester. She therefore appeared in the May/June examination 2014 as an ex-student. This year she has taken admission in Campus Law Centre producing a degree from Manav Bharti University, Himachal Pradesh that is a regular degree and not a correspondence course.

ABVP’s stand – “Professor in Charge at Campus Law Centre wrote to the Principal at KMC and confirmed Mona as a student of the college from 2010-2013. Her mark sheet is also available (refer to evidence 3.1). This is fraud. Is the degree from Manav Bharti University fake or has she done two courses at a time?” questioned Saket Bahuguna, Delhi Secretary, ABVP.

[caption id="attachment_25928" align="aligncenter" width="670"]Evidence 3.1 - Mona Siwach's marksheet (Source - www.du.ac.in) Evidence 3.1 – Mona Siwach’s marksheet (Source – www.du.ac.in)[/caption]

NSUI’s stand – This is again under pressure of national government. They are harassing a female candidate. Many students from the University are enrolled in such a manner. Why is there no action taken against those then? Mona’s case also has no notice yet. With a day to elections and no action, I am sure the authorities have cleared the case”, informed Mohit Sharma, Secretary, NSUI.

Action taken – No action has been taken until now. Prof Rawat in this case also holds the college liable for any action. “Campus Law Centre has no action till now. We are responsible for elections or contesting and not admissions. If admission is cancelled then we will cancel the contesting right”, he told DU Beat.

Feature Image Credits – students.brown.edu

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On 8 September 2014, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad(ABVP) released their manifesto  through a press conference at the Press Club of India. The presidential candidate Mohit Nagar, a B.Com pass out from Shyam Lal College and current MA Buddhist Studies student,  spoke to DU Beat on the occasion. Mohit has worked wholeheartedly for the party since his undergraduate days with special focus on the East Campus issues.

Q. When and why did you join student politics?

A. I did not join “politics”. I joined a medium through which I can work for the betterment of DU and its students. We are the only student party which not only takes up college issues but gives prior importance to issues of national concern as well.

Q. Why Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad?

A. Like I said, I did not join with the motive of politics. I joined a party with a vision, a party which is active throughout the year and not just during elections, a party which selflessly protests for student issues on 120 out of the 150 working days.

Q. Some people join any random course in order to contest DUSU elections. Can we expect you to give importance to the course you have chosen?

A. I do not compromise on studies as that will give a wrong message to students. As student leaders, it is our job to set a good example for them and ignoring our studies defeats that purpose.

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Q. You have put three “a”s in front of your name in the list of candidates. AISA has been highlighting this issue in their campaigns urging students not to vote for candidates who do so which is quite appropriate.What is your opinion on it?

A. These are strategies that need to be adopted. I do not consider them unethical as long as we deliver on our promises once in power.

Q. Party or candidate – who should be the influencing factor for the vote?

A. The party should be evaluated but I feel the candidate’s performance in the party, his/her background should have more importance.

Q. There have been controversies about ABVP causing a lot of vandalism in different parts of India on various occasions. Why do you think that is so?

A. We are doing our work, controversies do not affect us. We are doing our work with determination to serve DU and even the country at large.

Q. Saket Bahuguna told us about your concern for a separate east campus. How far have you come in your endeavor?

A. I myself hail from East Delhi and am aware that 20-25 thousand students do too. Why should they need to look for a North or South campus college? I have been working in this area for quite some time now and will continue to strive for a separate east campus with conveyance facility for students and connectivity from every part of Delhi including the north and south campus. Land has already been allotted for the purpose.

 

We had the opportunity to converse with the Delhi Secretary of ABVP, Saket Bahuguna, who happens to be a flawless orator. He discussed the issues related to campaigning, such as dummy candidates, limited campaigning period and cleanliness problems.

Q. The papers/pamphlets thrown around haphazardly, scribbling on walls and the aggressive campaigning strategies cause immense inconvenience, huge wastage of paper and even fear of elections among students. What is your opinion on the issue?

A. We truly regret the chaos created during campaigning but we are helpless at the hands of law which provides candidates merely 3 days to reach out to each of the colleges which makes it literally next to impossible for them to make a mark among students. This, at times, invokes parties to send dummy candidates to some colleges instead of the real ones to save time, taking advantage of the fact that the contesting candidates are not permitted by law to wear their party’s logo or name during campaigning.

As for the strewn papers, it is not the candidates or their supporters but the people in whose hands the papers are given who cause the garbage by throwing them away carelessly. The campaigning duration should be increased to at least ten days in order to allow parties to strategically and calmly fulfill campaigning requirements.

 Ishani Rajkhowa

[email protected]

Image credits: Abhinav Kumar

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