On Wednesday night, JNU held it’s JNUSU presidential debate. Candidates running for president of the JNU students’ union gave impassioned speeches amid cries of “Jai Bhim,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Lal Salam.” The much-anticipated presidential discussion was witnessed by a sizable student gathering at the Jhelum Lawn, which established the mood for the JNUSU votes that were to be held on March 22.
Before the debate started, the air was filled with the sound of trumpets and “dhols” as students and supporters of various groups applauded their leaders and held up signs.
Table of Contents
JNUSU PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE CHAIRED BY RETIRED JUSTICE V RAMASUBRAMANIAN
To guarantee impartiality and openness, retired Justice V Ramasubramanian of the Supreme Court chaired the discussion. He was chosen by the Delhi High Court to serve as an observer for the JNUSU elections this year last week.
JNU STUDENTS CLASH TOGETHER OVER ELECTION COMMITTEE DISPUTE
A variety of topics were covered by candidates from different student groups, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, Manipur violence, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, farmer demonstrations, and electoral ties. In their plea to voters, they brought up matters about universities as well.
JNUSU PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
Aradhana Yadav, the sole female candidate for president in the JNUSU elections, spoke first, representing the student section of the Samajwadi Party. Yadav discussed a variety of topics, including women’s rights and safety on campuses. If elected, she pledged to support minority reservation and “deprivation points,” which are ways to make it easier for students from underdeveloped areas, particularly women, to get admitted.
Invoking ‘Lal Salam’ to begin his address, United Left Alliance presidential candidate Dhananjay expressed worry about the rising costs resulting from university loans taken out by the Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA). Among other things, he brought up the topics of unemployment and the commercialization of education brought about by the entrance of international universities in India.
The presidential candidate of the ABVP, Umesh Chandra Ajmira, who is linked with RSS, expressed confidence in winning the polls and emphasized the progress made by the student organization under its leadership as well as its advocacy for student rights.
Both BAPSA’s Biswajit Minji and NSUI’s Junaid Raza made passionate speeches in which they urged the student body to support them and criticized both left- and right-wing organizations.
JNUSU ELECTIONS TO BE HELD AFTER BEING DELAYED FOR PAST FOUR YEARS
A few students interrupted several leaders’ speeches during the debate. The drums and other disruptive instruments were eventually seized by the university’s Election Committee. On March 22, the JNUSU votes will take place, and the results will be declared on March 24.
