At DU’s North Campus, student political parties ABVP and NSUI launch welcome campaigns for incoming freshers. Amidst flags, enthusiasm, congestion, and concerns over ethical campaigning, another year of student politics begins.
At around 10:30 on Monday morning, the roads of Delhi University’s North Campus were flooded with saffron and white flags as the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) parties welcomed freshers to a brand-new academic year. An ABVP procession made its way through the streets as NSUI representatives attempted to attract a new following amongst the fresh faces that had emerged across campuses.
The signature saffron flag associated with the ABVP party was spotted outside several north campus colleges, including Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Daulat Ram College, and Miranda House, bearing slogans welcoming the incoming first-year students to Delhi University. The flags were accompanied by helpdesks to guide students through the process of joining the party as a volunteer. Representatives handed out brochures and flyers to passersby, as well as ABVP-branded bookmarks to interested students in addition to addressing any queries they had. A procession of ABVP members waved their flags through the Patel Chest and surrounding areas. ABVP members such as Aryan Maan, Bhoomika and Prabal Pratap Singh have been posting pictures and reels on Instagram over the last few days for the purpose of welcoming the new batch.
NSUI was not far behind in their efforts to celebrate the arrival of new students on campus. Guidance desks were organised outside various colleges, and blue and white banners waved in and around the Faculty of Law campus. Tokens such as pens and booklets highlighting NSUI’s agenda were distributed to students who expressed interest in joining the party. When asked about the intentions behind putting up such kiosks, NSUI party representatives operating the Miranda House helpdesk conveyed that they enjoyed helping students and spreading cheer about the good work that they believe their party does. Their duties as helpdesk representatives ranged from signing up new members to the party, helping them through the registration process, and adding them to the respective communication channels thereafter.
A student who asked to remain anonymous expressed frustration at the sudden congestion and traffic that took over the streets of North Campus in the morning, especially at a time when most students and faculty had to reach their respective colleges for classes and meetings, blaming it on both parties’ incessant campaigning.
A spectator to the ABVP procession praised Delhi University’s active and engaging political ambience, calling it impressive and an ode to the inclusive democracy that India stands for. “A true enjoyment of life,” they said. However, they pointed out the excessive wastage of paper and resources that goes into such campaigning, ultimately littering the campus and ruining its aesthetic. They also highlighted the importance of ethical campaigning, and condemned involuntary interceptions and forced registrations, which sometimes become the case. As long as all practices remain fair, they call such demonstrations a celebration of student rights.
All in all, it is evident that both parties are gearing up for another round of relentless student activism and campaigning. As for the widespread malpractices and defacement of property observed during last year’s Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh clarified that more limitations will be enforced during the next DUSU elections.”Nobody should deface walls. What happened during elections in the past: huge amounts of money and muscle power, is not expected. We don’t want to repeat these things, and next time, we will see a change,” the Vice-Chancellor told PTI.
In addition to this, Delhi University’s official website released an advisory to prevent defacement of institutional property on 31st July. It mentions that practices condradictory to this advisory can lead to suspension, expulsion, or even debarrment from contesting elections.
Read also: Rise in Threats Amid DUSU Elections – AISA Activist Abducted and Attacked
Image credits: Manya Marwah
Manya Marwah
