PNS | DEHRADUN
Student union leaders from NSUI and ABVP have expressed their concern regarding the State government’s failure to ensure student union elections this year in government universities and colleges in the State this year. They contended that the absence of elections this year may have negative implications and set a precedent for the government to avoid holding such elections in the future. They urged the government to proceed with the elections this year to prevent further unrest among students.
The Uttarakhand High Court disposed of a public interest litigation in the matter after the State informed that the tine limit for holding the polls had expired as per the government order issued earlier. The State informed tge court that the student union polls can’t be held this year as the time has lapsed.
Former president of l NSUI at the DAV Siddharth Aggarwal questioned the State government’s failure to conduct the election this year. He said that the State government is simply making excuses for not organising the student union election this year, claiming that too much time has passed. Aggarwal noted that in 2022, the college elections took place in December, so there should be no reason why it cannot happen this year. Additionally, Aggarwal said that since the Kedarnath Assembly by-election is approaching, the government has decided to forgo the student union election this year to prevent a decrease in voter turnout, using the excuse that the window for holding elections has expired. Student union election is a crucial event as the elected leader serves as a bridge between teachers and students for addressing any concerns. If the election is not held this year, students will protest with support from their peers against the State government, he added.
Former ABVP president at DAV College, Paras Goyal expressed similar concerns about the government’s failure to conduct the election. He emphasised that not holding the election sends a negative message and disregards the rights of students in the State. The election of a student union leader is essential for fostering communication between teachers, college management and students to resolve any issues. The lack of coordination between universities and colleges has caused delays in the election process. He emphasised that the state government should conduct the election annually, as the elections consistently get delayed and this is not the first occurrence.
DAV students seek student union polls
In view of the State government’s failure to organise the student union election this year, the DAV PG College students protested by closing the college gates on Friday. Former president of the student union, Siddharth Aggarwal highlighted concerns about potential college privatisation and State government efforts to silence student rights by eliminating the student union election this year. The protesters shut down DAV College and a government school in Dehradun. He stated that on Saturday, students from all colleges in the city will congregate at the Clock Tower at noon to set fire to a symbolic representation of the State government. If a favorable outcome is not achieved promptly, the student union may resort to more assertive forms of protest.
