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Autobiography of an Election Flyer

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This is a real account of an election campaign flyer, its journey and observations

Fresh off the print, I and other flyers were stacked up in the morning. A few hours later, some of my brothers were stuck on the campus walls while others like me were kept to be distributed to the inhabitants of this world called the University of Delhi. We all have the same cliched font style. One might say we lack individuality. The only thing that is different is a label, I belong to the family of NSUI while my fellow flyers are put under the labels of ABVP and AISA. AISA guys are the poorer folks of the lot, their paper quality is cheap. ABVP and I are similar in social standing and almost the same in numbers.

So, as the sun got warmer in the day, some of the bearded political leaders/goons (they are looked at differently by different factions) went around and handed me over to a reluctant first-year student in a random North Campus college. My handler said “Vote for NSUI” in an intimidating voice and the fresher had no option but to accept me. The next instant, the procession of the Aviator glasses and marigold garland wearing youth politicians walked away; the fresher just threw me on the ground and resumed his business. He has joined this college to study and socialise. All this political business is no business for him.

As I lay on the ground, I saw a fellow ABVP brother flyer and an AISA sister. The latter called me a gunda and I replied using the best comeback in Hindi language ‘Jo bolta hai wo hi hota hai’. Then we all engaged in an intense shouting match, complete with threats and blame games. The ABVP flyer lost his cool to such an extent that he said if he had hands, he would have even slapped the AISA flyer. It ended up in awkward silence and I flew away to the canteen.

In the canteen, a kind old uncle took me and folded me like a fifth grader’s origami project. I got stained by oil as he wrapped me around a couple of samosas. I got a glimpse of this canteen world and it looked like a safe haven. This is the umbrella under which all groups take shelter, whether it be the pseudo-intellectuals, the goons, the nerds. or the good for nothing vellas. The girl who took me ate the samosas and threw me on the canteen floor even though a big dustbin was right in front of her. How much effort does it take to put me in the dustbin? Well anyway, that means more freedom for me.

So, I flew and I flew until I came on a sidewalk near the college gate. The passers-by were all staring at the motorcade of Scorpios adorned with NSUI and ABVP stickers. The party members and campaigners were perched on the hood of the moving cars. It all seemed like an updated version of the ‘Kiki challenge’. Then in a fit of excitement, they clenched several party flyers and cards in their fists and let them all loose on the crowded road. When the big muscled men and the big muscled cars departed from the road, the gravelled tar path was littered, or in a sense adorned, with hundreds of election flyers strew here and there. So much for Swach Bharat!

I was asleep for a few minutes so I did not realise when I ended up in this e-rickshaw. Some students in the vehicle are talking amongst themselves about a certain judgement day on 12th September. I am eager to know what will happen on this day. I hope that I am not stepped over or torn into shreds by then.

Feature Image Credits: Daily Mail

Shaurya Singh Thapa

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Campus Central

Elections in DU Versus Other Indian Universities: How are they Different?

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As the country’s capital, Delhi has witnessed student movements and politics with the greatest trajectories. Other universities in India do not observe the same scenario. What makes politics and DUSU elections at DU different? Read on to find out.

The University of Delhi (DU) has never faltered to be on the forefront of political upheaval in the nation. From Gurmehar Kaur’s anti-war stances and resistance in the face of dogmatic backlash to her opinions, to Umar Khalid being shot two days before Independence Day, the students in Delhi have been vocal and active in their dissent and their vision to make a difference. During the election season in DU, the collaborative accounts of students reveal a picture of the campus filled with pamphlets, party supporters driving around in expensive vehicles, rallies, gatherings, and heated quarrels between the student leaders.

The candidates use techniques of mass polarisation by making promises of substance and raising appeal by distributing numerous popular items among students. There is an essence of participatory politics where students sit and discuss the candidates, party agendas, motivations, and political ideologies concerning the students. In a stark contrast to the situation in the capital, the atmosphere in the University of Mumbai is laid back. Students in Mumbai seldom voice their disapproval in the form of long-lasting loud protests. One of the deliberated reasons for this is the fact that colleges in Mumbai have an autonomous culture with rare unity as a single University, unlike DU. There are no common elections for the University of Mumbai, and the election day in colleges involves 20 to 25 people sitting in a room, discussing agendas, and finally voting for various posts.
At the Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), there is a state of polarisation for freshers and some rallying, but the intensity of DU still supersedes. Shivam Rohilla, a third-year student at IIT Kharagpur, states, “Publicity levels are extremely high during elections, especially targeting the fresher population of over 1,400. But the passion of politics of DU is much higher.” Students at the Banaras Hindu University gripped this country’s attention in 2017 with their protests against the gender discriminatory practices of the university. The #Hokkolorob (make some noise) Movement in Jadavpur University of Kolkata against the molestation of female students resulted in the resignation of Abhijit Chakraborty, the Vice Chancellor.

Many such incidents have occurred across the country, but they do not receive the same traction as political movements in DU often do. Vishal Ranka, the current Sports Secretary at Usha Pravin Gandhi College in Mumbai, shared his experience of studying a semester in DU, and said, “People here at Mumbai University are more confined to their colleges and react to the issues with peace, which is irritating some times, but in DU, the scene has a way stronger vocalisation of its issues.” He believes that the influence of the national political parties on the student politics in Delhi, like Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the National Students’ Union of India has a great impact on the political scene at DU.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat.

Anushree Joshi

[email protected]

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Campus Central

DUSU Elections: What to expect, the Dos and Don’ts Designed

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We are almost near elections, and the entire University is simmering in the heat of the DUSU election fever. 

On a daily basis when you walk into your college, electoral candidates swarm around you like bees with scores of marigold garlands around their necks. Each of them hands over a small card with their name on it which says, “Please vote and support.”
What to expect:

As a student of Delhi University, you must be acquainted with the fact that these elections are a reflection of the general elections at the pan-India level, with huge crowds of people walking around the campus, tossing pieces of paper all over the place. But they also prove to be a source of valuable exposure. Not only do they introduce the students to the nuances of politics, but also provide adequate opportunities for people to connect and socialise. Students get an avenue to share their problems and expect solutions to them.

In order to ensure that your college session flows smoothly through the election period, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Always vote:

Election Day should not be considered as a holiday. Elections are the lifeblood of a democratic scaffold, and are important for its survival. Make sure you are responsible enough to cast your vote on time to the candidate you find the most suitable, unmoved by what others perceive, and free from prejudices. Ensuring this shall make
you a responsible student, an aware individual, and a self-respecting adult. Remember that the essence of a democratic setup lies in the freedom to choose a representative. Voting is an individual right, nobody can force you to vote against your will. Voting is your intrinsic right as a student of the University, and you should make it count.
Never support the use of unfair means:

Political parties and individuals affiliated to them sometimes go to wrongful extents to ensure their seat in office. Often an incentive of a hefty return in exchange for a vote is utilised as a common tactic. Several accounts of students getting free meals, movie tickets, trips to amusement parks a week before the elections float around the University in abundance! Always bear in your mind that each and every vote has a substantial effect on the political framework, and hence, on the life of students of the University. Thus, your vote accounts not only for you, but also for thousands of other students you are studying with. Remember that “selling your vote” is an idea that is undemocratic and is also liable to attract administrative punishment, if caught.

Don’t indulge in negative campaigning:

Even if you do not appreciate a candidate or their ideologies, remember that there are ways to democratically put forth your opinions, as opposed to passing rude comments and engaging in negative campaigning. Negative campaigning is against the virtue of a democratic election. It reflects insecurity and mistrust in your own choice, as opposed to reflecting weakness on the flip side of the coin. There will always be multiple differing opinions and ideas for you to choose from. Making a choice does not make you wrong, but belittling others from making a choice varying from yours does.

Abstain from heated arguments:

You may think that the person you support is the most deserving for certain reasons, while others would do the same for someone else. In case of such differences, it is always best to keep your cool while someone from the opposing block is expressing their opinion. Keep in mind that it is the “virtue of the wise to keep mum.” The heated arguments shall disturb not only the parties concerned, but also those around whom all of this shall occur. Adding to that, the DUSU elections can become a really sensitive matter at the drop of a hat.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat.

Aashish Jain

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Uncategorized

An Introduction to the Delhi University Students’ Union Politics

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Even though each DU college has its own students’ union, the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) is the body that encompasses most of the colleges and faculties that are affiliated with it.

DUSU is a students’ organisation that handles politics at a university level. With the University of Delhi (DU) being
one of the biggest central universities of India, their position becomes all the more important and they go on
to decide the mood of the political environment of the country. They have a constitution with objectives
like ‘promoting the spirit of oneness among students’ and ‘service towards the state’. DUSU is also responsible for organising debates, meetings, and programmes for the students. DUSU’s most important function, however, is making representations to the University authorities on matters concerning the students.

Known to be one of India’s largest student elections, the DUSU elections happen every year in either the month of August or September. As announced by the University, the elections for this year will be held on 12th September. The elections for the Delhi University Students’ Union are by direct voting of the students of the colleges affiliated
with it. The panel consists of a duly elected President, Vice President, Secretary and Joint-Secretary. For the year 2017-18, Rocky Tuseed was the President of DUSU, Kunal Sehrawat was the Vice-President, both from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), while Mahamedhaa Nagar was elected Secretary and Uma Shankar, the Joint Secretary, representing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

However, colleges like St. Stephen’s College, Lady Shri Ram College, and Jesus and Mary College are not affiliated with DUSU. In fact, most of the girls’ colleges don’t associate themselves with the Union. They have their own internal students’ unions to represent their issues in front of the college authorities. The manifestos of the parties remain focussed on women security, affordable hostel facilities, proper implementation of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), anti-ragging, and anti-discriminatory practices and so on.

The major parties contesting for the DUSU are the ABVP of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the NSUI of the Indian National Congress (INC). For the past few years, the presidents have been members of either of these two
parties. As they campaign vigorously, aggressive competition is witnessed between them.
Apart from these two giants, there are parties like the All India Students’ Association (AISA) of the Communist Party of India -MarxistLeninst, the Indian National Students’ Organisation, and Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), the student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party. This year, CYSS and AISA have decided to contest DUSU elections together. They will raise issues like student passes in AC buses, decrease in metro fares, 24-hour library facility, and installation of CCTV cameras.

DUSU has been a gateway to real-world politics for many of its former members, and several of them now hold office at the local and central governments. Leaders like Arun Jaitley, Ajay Maken, Vijay Goel, Vijay Jolly, Alka Lamba, etc., have been union members of the DUSU in their time in DU as students.
With campuses littered with a sea of campaign posters and blaring voices on megaphones promising better infrastructure, the DUSU elections are worth all the hype they get. Because it is the voice of the youth that goes on to decide what the country will look like in the next few years.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Maumil Mehraj
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Campus Central

Turning Back Time: A History of DUSU

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The DUSU we recognise today has its roots in the power tussles, falls, and revolutions of the past. How much has it changed? Read on to find out.
As the capital of this democracy, Delhi has always experienced the uprising of revolutionary, sometimes unsettling, but always a realistic picture of the national politics. The student population of the University of Delhi (DU) comprises of 1.5 lakh diverse individuals today. But back in the time when the University was in its inception stages, the issues faced by the country were still concrete and significant although they were not enormous in number. It is not an unexpected predicament that the Delhi University Students’ Union has been addressing and even reflecting the politics of a much larger realm since 1954, when the first polls of the DUSU elections were held.
Paving a path for prominent positions in the national political parties of India, DUSU has had a history of producing leaders who proved their motivation. During the Emergency in the nation, the then General Secretary of DUSU was allegedly jailed and subjected to torture for raising a voice against the advent of fascism. Moulding, adjusting, and
treading the tightrope of similar ideals, the present day parties contesting in the DUSU elections draw a lot of
their narrative, structure, policies, and campaigning methodologies from their older counterparts.

Mirroring the hyped affairs of the contrasting politics of the two most popular political factions today- the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party on one hand and the Indian National Congress on the other- the DUSU elections of 2018 might create an illusion of a power struggle only between the student units of the said political bodies, namely the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the National Students’ Union of India, respectively. The truth is – like a national democracy cripples without the existence of real choice in its representatives, student governance too suffers a downfall. This is why, choices and political parties have come, gone, and changed through the course of DUSU’s journey.

For instance, the Indian National Students’ Organisation stemmed as the student wing of the Indian National Lok Dal and enjoys strong favorability in the state of Haryana at present. In the year 2008, INSO contributed to a seemingly radical initiative for that time by reportedly being the first party to field a male candidate from the Sikh community for one of the four office bearers in the central panel at the DUSU elections. This report published in The Hindu provides a clarity of thought to the understanding of numerous parties’ participation in bringing the University’s politics to the forefront.

Aam Aadmi Party’s student wing Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, a relatively nascent organisation, joining forces with the left-wing All India Students’ Association, may seem like an unprecedented move, for the politics at DU, but the very foundation of the much notable NSUI was laid by the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Saimon Farooqui, the National Secretary at NSUI, told DU Beat that the 2013 DUSU elections were a crutial determinant of the Vidhan Sabha and the Lok Sabha political upheaval and outcome. He believes that the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 too find a significant sway with the DUSU politics for this term.

Almost six decades later, DUSU has seen a plethora of political tussle, and a vision for the future of this University and the capital must not be forgetful of the history that changed its course in every way.

Feature Image Credits: The Hindu

Anushree Joshi

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AAP’s Student Body to Make a Comeback to the DUSU Elections of 2018

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The Chatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) is all set to make a comeback to the University of Delhi’s (DU) scene of student politics this year.

The Aam Aadmi Party’s student wing, the Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), will contest the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) polls, to be held in September 2018. The announcement was made by Labour Minister Gopal Rai on Monday, at an event at DU’s North Campus. CYSS President Sumit Yadav, along with AAP MLAs Ajesh Yadav and Pankaj Pushkar, was also present on the occasion.

Mr. Rai was the Chief Guest at the ‘Talk of the Country’ programme organised by the CYSS, where he reminisced about the revolutionary spirit of students and youth which played an integral part in bringing about positive change in Indian history. He advocated the aim of the CYSS to steer student politics in DU towards a positive direction.

After their infamous debut in 2015, the CYSS had decided to boycott the DUSU elections citing that the ‘Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations’ were not being followed at the University. These recommendations are a set of guidelines regarding eligibility criteria of candidates, transparency in expenditure during elections as well as the barring of candidates from re-contesting, irrespective of whether they’ve won or lost in the election.

Notably, many quarters of the varsity are apprehensive about the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) approach to politics and means of exerting influence. They are of the belief that the students at DU have grown accustomed to expecting freebies, such as free food coupons and movie tickets along with extensive traffic jams caused by party campaign vehicles, in the eve of the DUSU polls.

The entry of CYSS could either be a breath of fresh air in student politics at DU or it could simply remain as an instrument to which the people would attribute the success (or lack thereof) of the AAP in New Delhi. Regardless, the build-up to the 2018 DUSU elections is intense, and perhaps it holds promise for change.

Feature Image Credits: Chatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti

Nikita Bhatia

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Keshav Mahavidyalaya says Yes to the Students’ Union and Affiliation to DUSU

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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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News

DUSU EC Results Announced, Amidst Much Ruckus

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Elections of the Executive Committee of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) saw major unrest after a voter, Gaurav Sharma, a central council member of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College, alleged that somebody had forged his signature and voted on his behalf. When he complained to the authority then, instead of taking the matter seriously, his complaint was dismissed his claims and he was asked to leave the Conference Centre (voting venue).

Soon Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India  (NSUI) got the whiff of the matter which led to a scuffle between police and students that resulted in minor property damage. DUSU President and NSUI member Rocky Tuseed and DUSU Secretary Mahamedhaa Nagar, who is from ABVP, asked authorities to allow the voter to cast his vote, but their request was refused.Election officer Rajeev Gupta forwarded the complaints of bogus voting to the DU Grievance Cell and further action will now depend on Grievance Cell’s decision.

A glass door was broken during the scuffle. Image Credits: The Indian Express
A glass door was broken during the scuffle.
Image Credits: The Indian Express

The results were announced on 27th November. ABVP asserted that they secured eight out of the 11 posts,   NSUI announced the win in five of 11 seats. Since there are only 11 candidates in total, which means that both ABVP and NSUI are staking claims on two winners. These two candidates are Naveen Yadav from Motilal Nehru College and Vaibhav Bansal from Rajdhani College. Naveen Yadav identifies as an independent candidate who personally supports NSUI and Vaibhav Bansal has had affiliations with ABVP.

The DUSU EC has 11 members who are chosen from presidents and central councillors of various college unions. Constitution of DUSU ensures that at least two out of 11 EC members should be girls. The Executive Committee is entrusted with an important task of proposing the DUSU annual budget which is then sent to the Central Council for approval.

A total of 146 people including all members of DUSU voted in the EC elections. Initially 18 candidates contested for 11 EC seats, but in the end only 14 contested owing to the withdrawal of nominations. In this sense, one can say that the selection process wasn’t very competitive in terms of numbers.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

(With inputs from The Indian Express and Hindustan Times)

Niharika Dabral

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Bazinga

Bazinga: Faulty Voting Machines in Few Colleges: Biased Results?

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Elections in colleges and universities are valued by every student.  The candidates for the post have lead to the need of more advanced and automated voting systems. However, the design, construction, implementation, effectiveness and security of electronic voting systems have proven to be problematic. The results to DUSU polls were released last Wednesday. Outflow of freebies, goodies, movie tickets came to a fruitful end. But insiders have revealed that the making of the voting machines were faulty and were used in a few colleges. So do we assume the results were biased? Vote flipping? And now, the stories and conspiracy theories have begun.

Sources have informed that there have been reports of voters pressing one candidate’s name, only to have the opponent’s name light up instead. It is unnerving for the students. Have our votes got no value? After all the buzz in the University in the former half of the year, now we get to hear of alleged ‘rigging’ of machines. The colleges which got faulty machines are demanding for another round of elections due to tampering of the ballot boxes. There is a popular demand to scrap the machines. The Chancellor has requested for a probe to look into this matter and the role of the officers involved in the entire process. It said that the machines were tested before the election and are recaliberated each day before voting begins.

But, the upheaval of students regarding justice in this issue has lead to a settlement: Now the winning party will be decided by a popular support rally, which is to be scheduled by the end of this month in DU, north campus. The working mechanism of this rally is described as follows: you have to register yourself under a party as their supporter, and then you have to join their rally-walk from the prescribed time. The party with highest number of supporters will take a win.

Statistics say that more students came out to vote in DU this year as compared to last year.  In 32 of the 41 morning colleges, the voter turnout stood at 44% — a sizeable jump, when the overall voter turnout last year was 36.9%. But, in a university like ours, we expect a higher number of voters. And if you could not vote this year, now you have another chance to have a say in the elections of your very own university. Also, increasing support implies another round of incentives to enjoy! Goodies are on their way, let’s walk a rally.

 

Feature Image Credits: Times of India

Radhika Boruah

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DUB Speak

Hegemony in College Elections

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What are the factors affecting college elections and how they put the average student with political aspirations at a disadvantage?

It is important to keep in mind that student life and the functioning of a college is largely influenced by the elected student representatives.  These members wield immense power over the day-to-day functioning of the college. They have an essential say in everything ranging from the cultural events to be organized, the fests, facilities offered to students and more. For a lot of students, this is an opportunity to actively participate in student governance, and have a say in how the administration runs. It is important to keep into account that in politics, the beam always tilts heavily towards the side that has money, muscle power and influence at its disposal.

And while it would have been naïve to assume that college elections in the University of Delhi (DU) are free from these influences, the extent of power these factors exert is shocking.

1) Hostellers vs Day scholars                                                                               

It seems that in the College union elections, the beam always tilts heavily towards hostellers. Student’s studying in DU College’s that have both a hostel and elected students union know that in most cases, as far as elections are concerned, hostellers are at an added advantage. They have the benefit of not just being physically present on the campus at all times which allows them to contribute effectively and easily for the college welfare but also gain traction over scholars over the same. The fact that they are present in college at all times allows them to participate more actively in college activities. Hosteller’s also had a closely knit network and support group which opens up more avenues for them. The relevance of being a hosteller is particularly more in college’s that are not affiliated to DUSU, since this reduces the influence of political groups. Sanchita from the Daulat Ram College Hostel says “ day scholars are at a disadvantage because they can’t be present on campus 24*7. Hostellers are more available during fest season and other events which puts them at an advantage”

2) Student political groups

Another major factor influencing college elections is the association with parent parties and organizations that help create background support. Recently Chattra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, Aam Aadmi Party’s student wing won 25 seats out of the 28 seats it fielded its candidates on, across DU. ABVP and NSUI are key players in these elections. A lot of support from parent parties is covert and goes into the background. Building traction, getting contacts, organizational support during the campaigning period are all ways in which these parties contribute and influence college elections. While this kind of backing may not be very public and may seem irrelevant, it ends up influencing elections in a major way. It is especially relevant in Delhi University Student’s Union (DUSU) affiliated colleges, where student political groups help leaders in their campaign to win college elections and subsequently these students help them in DUSU elections. It is a symbiotic relationship that benefits both the parties into gaining supporters.

3) Regional sentiment

Regional sentiment plays a significant role in these elections. A student belonging to a particular region is more likely to support a candidate from the same place.  Not just that the idea of community and regional pride runs deep in the conscience of the majority. Recently a video was seen on social media which showed the celebrations post the victory of Shivam Bhadana as the President of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College Morning. The victory was seen as not just the candidate’s but also his community’s, it seemed. Statements like #GurjarPower and “Gurjar is king “could be seen in the comments section, which showed how relevant community lines are for a lot of voters. Student politics does not exist in isolation and the kind of regional sentiment that is central in all aspects of national politics, cannot miraculously be absent from universities. A source from KMC that chose to stay anonymous says “This regional idea is very internal, it’s not really broadcasted with people saying things like- we are from Haryana or we are from UP, but it’s there and it has a big role to play”.

4) Wealth 

A bevy of SUVs, music, crackers to celebrate victory and the occasional brightly coloured sports car is a frequent sight at off-campus colleges during election season. Candidates charm voters by their army of loyal supporters, their flashy automobiles and the slogans, drums, and claps that accompany them, each attesting to their popularity and influence. These shiny toys come with a shock value and they provide the student body all the more reasons to talk about the candidate. It is an effective way to generate interest and grab eyeballs. To add to that election costs include the cost of posters, hoardings, pamphlets and more. These banners and hoardings are ripped out and damaged by rival candidates and their supporters and need to be replaced regularly. These additional costs that come with contesting and winning elections acts as a barrier that filters out the majority of students. It is a primary reason why student unions’ are not as effective as they ideally should be. These candidates, with wealth and resources at their disposal, may not always be able to comprehend and relate to the struggles of the average student, which makes them ineffective as leaders. Students with an active interest in politics and a desire to contribute to change are dissuaded from pursuing it because more often than not, these factors passively work against them. A lot of debate has been going about around the idea that student politics has somehow lost its relevance. Student politics has not and will not lose its relevance but it has become ineffective and the marginal benefits gained from it are continuously decreasing. The first step to making it more effective would be realising how it has become an elite institution which heavily favours a small group of students, where everybody does not stand an equal chance. Once this insight is present in the student body at large, they will be less likely to fall prey to tried-and-tested election campaigning tricks and this would allow more dedicated students with political aspirations to pursue their goals.

 

Feature image credits: Facebook page of Shivam Bhadana

Kinjal Pandey

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