referendum Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

On 2nd May 2018, the students of Keshav Mahavidyalaya voted in favour of the establishment of a Students’ Union in the college and its affiliation to the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). In a much-publicised referendum, the “Ayes” received a thumping majority.

While talking to DU Beat, faculty member of the college Kunal Kumar remarked optimistically, “When the results were announced today, everyone was very happy, including Principal ma’am. Change is always good, and the overall atmosphere in the college is that of positivity and optimism.”
Subham Yadav, a student of the college, revealed fascinating statistics to DU Beat, “About 1600 is the strength of the students who were eligible to vote. Out of them, 1014 students voted yes.”

When asked about the reaction from the college authorities, he responded, “Everyone seemed satisfied. Earlier, the Principal was uneasy about the notion of holding a referendum in college, but now, even she seemed content.”

Earlier, Keshav Mahavidyalaya did not partake DUSU elections and did not have a student’s union. For years, certain sections of the student community demanded both the aforementioned elements in their college. Then finally after several rounds of negotiation, the college authoties decided that Keshav Mahavidyalaya would be holding a referendum to determine the students’ verdict in the matter of the institution of the college students’ union as well as the college’s affiliation to the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). The referendum was scheduled to be held on the 2nd of May 2018, and the entire process was deemed to be completed by 9 p.m. on the same day.

Now that the long fight has come to an affable end, it’ll be interesting to see how the college changes in the face of upcoming elections. Only time can tell whether polls will be reduced to the muscle and money laced power politics or will actually democratise the college space.

Feature Image Credits: Ankit Alhawatt and Sorav

Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak
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Aryabhatta College

Aryabhatta College to hold referendum for DUSU affiliation

By DU Beat August 27, 2017

In the light of the recent events pertaining to the upcoming elections of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU), contrary to the anticipated scenario, Aryabhatta College has given out a notice seeking a referendum regarding its affiliation to the DUSU that will be held on the 1^st of September, within the college premises.

While the college was affiliated to the DUSU in the past, the excessive political inclination of the latter and the consequent amalgamation of campus violence and suppression in the recent years have garnered a lot of attention, questioning affiliation of other member colleges as well. Since both the Principal as well as the administration remained unavailable for any comments, we had a word with Yashank Bhutani who is also one of the presidential candidates this year. He informed us that a joint protest is going to be held on Monday, that is, on the 28

Yashak Bhutani, one of the presidential candidate for this year informed that a joint protest is going to be held on Monday, that is, on the 28^th of August regarding whether or not the institution should be affiliated. Amidst all of this, a pro-DUSU affiliation signature campaign was doing the rounds on Thursday. The referendum, as explained by Yashank, proposed against the centralization of power that otherwise is the case with party-affiliated student politics, wherein, the six-post system including the President, the Vice-President, the Joint Secretary, the General Secretary and two Central Councillors are vested with the sceptre of power, leaving out the other students in a subordinate position. He further goes on to add that the alternative way would include a two-post system with only the President and the General Secretary at the highest rung, with a division of power among the Class Representatives (CRs) and the respective department Presidents who will be responsible for keeping the powers of the two heads under check or “the parliamentary form of elections”, as he calls them.

Meanwhile, the principal and other college authorities were unavailable for comments.

While it has become quite clear from certain examples in the recent past that the triumph of party-affiliated politics nurtures nothing but only the mouthpiece of a particular ideology; it is, like Yashank states, “the leadership in a free environment is what we look for with every student having a say in the decision-making”.

Shrija Ganguly

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News

AISA to hold referendum on FYUP on 22nd August

By Shaily Sharma August 16, 2013

All India Students’ Association (AISA) will hold a referendum on the new FYUP on 22^nd of August.

The number of protests has been increasing with the introduction of the FYUP into the scene and teachers as well as students have been remonstrating from the very inception. After the hot off press demurral by AISA at north campus, they have resolved to hold a referendum on 22^nd August, Thursday. The big idea behind this mandate is to know what exactly students think of the new programme.

Harshvardhan, Secretary of Delhi University AISA, acquainted, “It’s the first time in Delhi University that such a referendum is coming into being. Our proposition behind this poll is to reach out to maximum people in the university and voice out their opinion in this regard”. With such an episode, AISA is raising concern over the syllabus of many subjects under FYUP and students’ reaction over the matter. “We are trying to have a desk for casting votes at many spots including North campus colleges and some South campus colleges too.” added Harshvardhan.

The balloters will counter ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on voting chits, which will be provided by the AISA. The result and harvest of the poll will be acknowledged to Dinesh Singh, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor. Ramjas College, Kirori Mal College, Hans Raj, Hindu and Miranda House are some of the colleges of North and Deshbandhu College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Ramjas college and Sri Venkateswara College are some of the South Campus colleges where the party is planning to put up the poll booths, with a total of 16-17 colleges in focus.

For the purpose of monitoring the mandate in colleges, committees will be made comprising of the students (mainly I year students) and some teachers of their respective colleges.

Along with the referendum, the party is conducting a signature campaign with a target of collecting over 10,000 signatures. A hard copy of these signatures will be submitted to the President of India and other appropriate authorities. Under this campaign, the party is getting sound response and has already been aggregated over 2000 signatures.

In the picture: A poster from the AISA protests in May.

Image Credit: Official website of AISA

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