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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Campaigns pick up pace as DUSU polls draw closer
NEW DELHI As the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, scheduled for September 18, draw closer, campaigning has gained momentum across the North Campus. Student organisations are not only finalising candidates but also framing their agendas, ranging from menstrual leave and metro fare concessions to academic freedom and infrastructure reforms. Varun Choudhary, national president of the Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI), which currently heads the central panel, said, 'We have shortlisted around 15-16 candidates and are working on our pre-campaign efforts'. Mr. Choudhary said they will raise 'social justice issues' such as the university 'defying' reservation rules in admissions and recruitment. According to him, NSUI is also prioritising demands related to crumbling infrastructure and the delays caused by the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Last week, the organisation staged protests demanding 12 days of menstrual leave per semester for women students, which is among their key campaign points. Bond clause The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) began campaigning as soon as the new academic session started. Its main concern has been the clause that requires students to sign a ₹1 lakh bond to contest elections. The amount will be forfeited if they are found violating defacement rules. 'We have raised the issue with the administration and have been assured that this clause will be revoked,' said Harsh Attri, ABVP's national media convener. The new poll guidelines, introduced last week, also prohibit the use of loudspeakers and vehicles, besides defacement. These restrictions came after the Delhi High Court halted the elections last year over widespread defacement. University officials have said they are considering alternatives to the bond clause after protests by multiple organisations. Currently, the central panel includes two post holders from ABVP and NSUI, with the president from NSUI. 'Alternative politics' Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) recently rebranded Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP) is seeking to break the NSUI-ABVP dominance by offering what it calls 'clean politics'. On Friday, AAP Delhi State president Saurabh Bharadwaj announced that ASAP will support students from ordinary backgrounds, regardless of their political affiliations. In a statement, ASAP said, 'ASAP's mission is to strengthen democracy from the grassroots through alternative politics, ensuring students choose clean politics over money and muscle power.' Earlier this week, ASAP also demanded a 50% metro concession for students, citing rising living and education costs. Meanwhile, Left outfits All India Students' Association (AISA) and Students' Federation of India (SFI) are exploring an alliance. AISA Delhi State president Abhigyan said, 'We will fight for academic integrity, and one of the major issues is that under NEP 2020, Value Added Courses and Skill Enhancement Courses form a core of the credits. This has diluted academics in the university, and they don't add much value.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rivals unite in protest against DU's ₹1-lakh bond for DUSU polls
New Delhi: Delhi University's decision to ask the candidates contesting the DU Students' Union (DUSU) elections to deposit a Rs 1-lakh refundable bond has prompted a rare unanimity among student groups, with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to National Students' Union of India (NSUI) joining Left outfits in demanding its withdrawal. The provision, part of the "anti-defacement" guidelines issued on Aug 8, allows the university to forfeit the bond for code of conduct violations or property damage. DU says the move aims to curb vandalism during the polls, but the student groups call it undemocratic and exclusionary. ABVP Delhi state secretary Sarthak Sharma said the bond was "a malicious attempt to limit the elections to only affluent students", warning of a "massive movement" if it was not revoked. NSUI president Varun Choudhary termed it "a political weapon" to tilt the field in ABVP's favour, alleging the university was "weaponising rules to exclude ordinary students" in violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, which cap candidate spending at Rs 5,000. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi Left groups have raised similar concerns. Students' Federation of India (SFI) said the amount would "shut the door on smaller, resource-poor organisations" and deepen the influence of money in campus politics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo "By demanding a Rs 1 lakh bond from DUSU election candidates, the university is putting a price tag on democracy. While we appreciate the intent to curb defacement, this move disproportionately targets common and marginalised students, creating financial barriers to democratic participation. Student elections must be inclusive, not exclusionary," said SFI Delhi president Sooraj Elamon. All India Students' Association called the rule "anti-democratic" and "a brazen attempt to turn student politics into the preserve of the wealthy", vowing to protest until it was withdrawn. While major outfits like ABVP and NSUI regularly field high-profile candidates and mount expensive campaigns, they, too, have objected to the bond as an arbitrary hurdle that could discourage participation from economically weaker students and create legal challenges. With the DUSU elections scheduled for Sept 18, the standoff sets the stage for an unusual convergence of campus rivals against the administration, underscoring wider anxieties over the accessibility and fairness of student politics in DU. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
NDTV
31-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Cancellations, Server Crash: SSC Students Hold Protest Over 'Mismanagement' At Exam Centres
New Delhi: Widespread protests broke out across the country on Thursday over alleged mismanagement in the ongoing SSC Selection Post Phase 13 recruitment exam, with aspirants and teachers converging at Jantar Mantar under a "Delhi Chalo" call to demand accountability and reform in the process. Protesters alleged administrative lapses, technical failures, and the use of force by police against peaceful demonstrators. The exam, which began on July 24 and is scheduled to conclude on August 1, has seen numerous complaints of abrupt cancellations, server crashes, unresponsive systems, and remote exam centres, located as far as 500 km from candidates' homes. "Aspirants are being sent to far-flung centres, only to discover that the exam is cancelled. At some venues, cattle heads were kept on the ground floor while students were giving exams upstairs. Bouncers have been deployed to silence students who raise concerns. The mouse doesn't work, systems hang. This is what we're facing," a teacher from the protest told PTI Videos. He said during a meeting with the SSC director, officials admitted to receiving over 55,000 complaints related to the exam. "If there are 3 lakh students and 55,000 have registered issues, that alone speaks volumes. SSC-CGL, with 30 lakh aspirants, is scheduled to start from August 13. How will SSC manage that with these broken systems?" he said. Many students alleged that exam centres were located in remote or unsafe locations. "The government awarded the tender to a blacklisted company. How can a company with such a background be trusted with exams that determine our future?" a student said. Another protestor added, "Even if we manage to reach the centre after spending thousands, we are told the exam is cancelled. There's no clarity on rescheduling. Our time, money, and most importantly, crucial years of preparation are being wasted. Who is answerable for that?" A number of aspirants also questioned the presence of bouncers at examination venues. "What is the utility of bouncers at an exam centre? We are not criminals. We're demanding a better system, not creating a riot," a candidate said. Meanwhile, social media platforms saw a surge of support for the protestors, with hashtags like #SSC_System_Sudharo, #SSCMisManagement, and #SSCVendorFailure trending on X. Users from across the country posted messages demanding immediate intervention from the SSC and the Ministry of Personnel. Among those backing the protest was the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), which alleged police resorted to a lathi charge on peacefully protesting students at Jantar Mantar. NSUI president Varun Choudhary, who joined the protest, said, "This is not just about exam mismanagement, it is about the government trying to silence the youth who are asking for justice." The student body also submitted a letter to the SSC demanding a high-level inquiry, vendor accountability, and reforms in the recruitment process. It warned that if the government fails to act, it will intensify protests nationwide.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Amid row, DU says it won't teach Manusmriti in any course
Delhi University (DU) on Thursday said it will not be teaching the Manusmriti in any of its courses, days after the university's faculty and students protested against the inclusion of the text as recommended reading for a paper of the Sanskrit Department. DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh told The Hindu, 'Our stand has been clear — that Manusmriti will not be taught in any course. Last year, it was suggested that Manusmriti be included in the law syllabus. Back then, too, we had removed it. This time, it had been introduced in the Sanskrit syllabus. As soon as it was brought to our notice, we have decided to remove it.' The university also posted a statement on X: ''Dharamshastra Studies', the DSC (Discipline Specific Core) of the Sanskrit Department, where Manusmriti is mentioned as a 'recommended reading' stands deleted.' 'Shameful move' On Thursday, Varun Choudhary, national president of the student group National Students' Union of India, said, 'Including Manusmriti in DU's syllabus is shameful. It laid the foundation of caste discrimination and injustice against Dalits, women, and the underprivileged.'
