At the presidential debate for the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNSU) polls, which took place in advance of the students union polls on March 22, the candidates pledged to improve opportunities for Bahujan community students, increase stipend amounts, turn the health center into a hospital, and ensure women’s safety on campus.
JNU Student Union Elections 2024: Left vs. Right Wing Clash Continues
As Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) prepares for the elections, which will take place after a four-year break, the candidates were seen arguing on a variety of social and political issues in the nation on Wednesday night. JNU has witnessed arguments between its presidential candidates regarding who supported the university during the pandemic. The date of the results’ announcement is March 24.
Similar to 2019, the Left Wing Student Organizations have united with the AISA, SFI, DSF, and AISF in the upcoming student union elections to challenge the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
For the fourth consecutive year, the United Left Panel, which is made up of student organizations with ties to the left, won the majority of votes at JNUSU in 2019.
Election Fever Grips JNU: Vibrant Campaigning and Candidate Debates
There were crowds of people all along the Jhelum Lawns to Ganga Dhaba route. Student organizations had contacted ahead of time to secure their spots at the function. Each time a contender gave a punchline, tambourines, conch shells, and daflis were played. This year, the words “Free Palestine” were printed on a number of flags and drums.
While the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha has put up Aradhana and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has named Umesh Chandra Ajmeera as their presidential candidates, the United Left Alliance has put up Dhananjay, a PhD candidate from the School of Arts and Aesthetics.
An empty ballot was distributed among the student body to allow them to write their questions for the respective candidate, and each candidate was given 12 minutes to speak. A lottery system determined the speakers’ chronological order.
Big uproar at #JNU!
Tension during the presidential debate of the student union elections.
"Free Palestine,
We will keep fighting to free Palestine,"
Left-wing student organizations making Palestine an issue in the student union elections. pic.twitter.com/ue68LKIuU7
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) March 21, 2024
ABVP Presidential Candidate Umesh Chandra Ajmeera’s Bold Promises and Challenges to the Left
Ajmeera, who identified as a proud Adivasi, challenged the Left by stating, “Naxalism is a fashion to many in this campus.” However, the same thing had killed my father. Because of naxalism, many students are orphans like me.
He stated, “I want to bring in change for good,” highlighting Ram Mandir as the right-wing party’s largest victory of the year.The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has finally been established after 500 years of slavery; consequently, Laal Gulaami will no longer be held on campus.New roads and WiFi in every JNU room were added when ABVP moved into this campus. All of this was made possible by ABVP’s efforts.
In addition to other things, Ajmeera pledged to protect women on campus, implement multidisciplinary courses in line with the National Education Policy, raise MCM (merit-cum-means-based scholarships) to Rs 6,000 and non-NET fellowships to Rs 20,000 with the introduction of HRA, and convert the health center into a hospital.
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All India Students Association (Left alliance) Dhananjay: Championing Farmers’ Rights and Youth Employment
“I am standing here today as the voice of the several farmers of this country who are having to protest for their right…using this presidential debate as an opportunity I am standing here as a voice for the youth of Allahabad, Kanpur, Banaras, Patna who are fighting for employment today. Lal Salam pesh karta hun and I promise JNU students union will always stand with you,” said Dhananjay
“Our friends who were protecting the Constitution were put in jail. We have seen how the ones who were fighting the Dalit revolution in Bhima Koregaon were put in jail…we are asking for the release of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid. Today’s government is trying to ruin the reputation of JNU which is known for its research and debate in the world” Dhananjay said.
Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha’s Aradhana Advocates Women’s Empowerment and Challenges Appointment Bias
Aradhana, the only female candidate this year, began her debate by emphasizing the value of women’s empowerment in society. She said, “The way in which in this campus the gender deprivation point has been ended and the female population has drastically reduced.” This is not going to happen. When the reservation bill was introduced, our leaders asked, “Isme Smriti Irani ko toh jagah hai lekin Bhagwatiya Devi ko Jagah kyu nahi hai.” The Samaywadi Party has always been vocal about women’s issues.
Aradhana attacked the Center over the recent controversy surrounding electoral bonds, saying, “Chanda do Danda dunga…(Give me money and I will give business) is the tenet that our ruling party espouses.
She brought up the subject of appointments, saying, “Since 1970, the campus has been laal, or red. Aradhana, however, questioned in 2007–16 why OBC, Dalit, and Adivasis were deemed “Not Found Suitable” for numerous posts during the appointment process.
“What do you expect over a candidate who holds a PhD from JNU?” she asked the ABVP. Do you think they will enlist in the Sangh and then show up for the interview in order to be chosen?
BAPSA’s Biswajit Minji: Advocating Representation and Fighting for Justice
Biswajit Minji began by attacking both the left and the right, stating, “This election is being referred to as a festival by both leftists and rightists.” For them, it’s a celebration because they belong to a privileged group. This election is a struggle for representation and survival for us Bahujans.
“Friends, please stand with BAPSA today to ensure that no student—Najeeb, Rohit Vemula, or anyone else—is lost. It is crucial that you support us in order to prevent this government and the Brahmanwadi administration from having total control. He continued.
