Introduction
It is very aptly said that DU can be taken out of politics, but politics can never be taken out of Delhi University, it is an integral part of Delhi University. Elections at Delhi University are highly influenced by the big impact on how political parties behave on college campuses. Delhi University Students Union Elections is among one of the most sought after events in student politics in the country.
History
According to the university’s website, the Delhi University Election (DUSU) is the group that represents students from the majority of institutions and faculties. The DUSU elections are held annually in August and September and are conducted directly by the university’s and member colleges’ students.
It was 1954 that the first elections at Delhi University were held. The DUSU has produced some of the best politicians in the nation throughout the years, including Arun Jaitley (1974–75), Vijay Goel (1977–78), Ajay Maken (1985–86), and Alka Lamba (1999–98), among others.
Separate Elected Bodies
The majority of the colleges in DU have a distinct elected board to handle college affairs, which mostly consists of The Fresher’s Party, College Fest, and the Farewell Party, in addition to the regular activities linked to sports, ECA societies, etc. In various colleges, these student bodies take on different forms. For instance, the student body at Hindu College operates in a parliamentary manner, while the student union at Hansraj College comprises six members.
Some institutions go over and beyond when it comes to staging free and fair elections by holding discussions for president and prime minister. Additionally, the college elections aren’t entirely free from outside interference from parties and individuals, which occasionally results in a puppet union in some of the colleges, where outside forces pull the strings.
Link with National Parties
Every year, several student organizations and independent candidates contest for election in the student elections at Delhi University. As they frequently symbolize the dominant political beliefs in the nation, these elections are important for both Delhi University students and the larger political landscape of India.
These student political parties are linked with more significant national or regional political parties, like the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India, and others, typically run candidates in the elections.
In India, political parties consider student politics as a crucial venue for engaging young voters and developing future leaders.
Student wing affiliates of the major national parties, including the Congress, BJP, and CPI, are involved in student politics. These wings, which go by the names NSUI, ABVP, and AISA, respectively, each have their own organizational frameworks, leadership teams, and memberships. They also run for office in university elections across India.
The president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer are just a few of the roles that these student political parties run candidates for.
Issues raised by Students Union
With the goal of gaining support for their organizations, Delhi University’s student political organizations organize rallies, hand out flyers, and organize open forums. They also concentrate on topics that are important to students, like hostel amenities, library resources, and educational standards.
However, there have been incidents of violence and disturbances in student politics at Delhi University, with conflicts between opposing student organizations seriously endangering the safety of students while also seriously damaging campus property. In India, there has been an increasing call in recent years to depoliticize student elections and focus them more on student concerns than party ideology.
Influence of Political Parties
Political parties frequently do substantial campaigning on college campuses during election season, which can create a divisive atmosphere there. Students may be urged to vote for a specific party or candidate by political rallies, posters, and slogans that can be seen all over campus. Additionally, some parties may utilize their clout to win over students by offering them perks like free meals or transportation.
However, the impact of political parties on college campuses is not just during election years. Once in office, student union presidents frequently maintain close ties to their political party, which may have an impact on their choices and behaviour on campus. Depending on their party affiliation, they could support or oppose particular campus initiatives and promote policies and viewpoints that are in line with the party’s platform.
Political party involvement on college campuses can have both beneficial and detrimental outcomes.
On the one hand, it can give students a chance to participate in politics and discover various political beliefs. On the other hand, it can foster division and polarisation on campus and lead to confrontation. Students should be informed before casting their votes in student union elections and aware of the impact political parties have on college campuses.
Political party influence on college campuses is a complicated problem with potential repercussions for the student body, the institution, and the local community. The following are some extra considerations:
- Resources :-
Affiliation with a political party can give student leaders access to resources including financing, campaign materials, and connections to powerful people. Political parties can also offer support to student leaders. They may benefit from this in the election and increase their chances of winning leadership positions.
- On college campuses, political parties might raise local or national concerns:
Student elections are frequently used by political parties to draw attention to local or national issues that are significant to them. Students may become more politically engaged as a result of this, helping to increase their level of awareness.
- College campuses may become polarized as a result of political parties’ influence:
Students may become divided along partisan lines on college campuses. As a result, stress and conflict may arise, which may have a negative effect on the learning environment for the students.
- National Political Conversation:
The student elections at Delhi University continue to be a crucial forum for students to express their thoughts, interact with their peers, and influence the national political conversation, despite the issues and difficulties that come with student politics there.
How Political Parties Influence DUSU Elections
Political parties’ connected student wings, which are organized and mobilized by the parties to participate in student politics, have a significant influence on Delhi University institutions. These student organizations, which are active not only at Delhi University but also in other universities across India, are a component of the country’s larger political environment.
Engaging with students on topics of shared interest is one method political parties and their student wings influence Delhi University institutions. On topics including the standard of education, hostel amenities, and career prospects for graduates, among others, they hold rallies, meetings, and seminars. Through these initiatives, they hope to increase student community awareness of and support for their political agendas.
Political party student wings also participate in student representation and campus governance. They run for office in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and other college-level student organizations, using these venues to have an impact on local or federal policy decisions.
Political parties’ involvement in student politics, however, may not always be beneficial. For instance, it may result in fights and violence between opposing student organizations, which may ruin the learning atmosphere and harm college property.
Additionally, when political parties are involved, the emphasis of student politics may occasionally move from problems that directly impact students to political ideas.
Conclusion
In India, especially Delhi University, there has been an increasing call for the depoliticization of student elections in recent years. Many contend that political parties should not participate in student elections, and that student issues should be the main emphasis of student politics. Nevertheless, political parties and the student wings that they support continue to be important players in the student politics of Delhi University institutions.
