Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) is abuzz with anticipation as the student union elections are scheduled for November 9. Shaik Aayesha, originally from Visakhapatnam and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry, is representing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and will lock horns with Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed, another Ph.D. student who is representing the SFI-ASA-TSF alliance.
The ABVP Hyderabad Central University Unit has not only made headlines by nominating Shaik Aayesha but has also formed an alliance with Seva Lal Vidyarthi Dal (SLVD), an organisation dedicated to the welfare of the tribal community at the university. This partnership reflects a commitment to diversity and inclusivity within the student body.
The ABVP panel for the upcoming elections includes a total of nine students, with three female candidates. Aayesha is the presidential candidate, Tarun Kumar from the School of Physics is vying for the post of the vice-president, Rajesh Palia from the School of Economics is in the race for general secretary; and Rathod Vasanth Kumar, an Integrated MA student of Political Science, is contending for the position of joint secretary as a representative of SLVD. Antony Basumatary, a research scholar from the Department of Philosophy, is running for the post of Cultural Secretary, and Jwala Prasad, an Integrated MA student of Hindi, is aiming for the sports secretary position.
The ABVP’s commitment to diversity doesn’t end with Aayesha’s historic candidature. G Vinshika, an IMA Sociology student, will contest for the ICC-GSCASH (Integrated) role. Aruna, an M Optometry student, is running for the ICC-GSCASH (PG) position, while Pawana, a Ph.D. student in Hindi, is contesting for the ICC-GSCASH (Research) role.
In a statement, the ABVP expressed its commitment to restoring the dignity of students at the University of Hyderabad. The organisation believes that the student community requires a student-centric Right to Union, and they assert that the ABVP-SLVD alliance is the only credible option to achieve this goal, promising an accountable, responsive, and transparent UoHSU.
The ABVP has a history of taking historical decisions during its 75-year journey, and this election is no exception. Shaik Aayesha, the first Muslim woman to contest for the post of president in the history of the University of Hyderabad, is breaking new ground. The ABVP has also made strides in inclusivity by nominating Antony Basumatary, a student from the Bodoland Territorial Region, for the post of cultural secretary.
This move is in stark contrast to other panels, including SFI-ASA-TSF, NSUI, and ASD (AIOBCSA, AISA, BSF, DSU, Fraternity), which, according to the ABVP, have failed to provide adequate representation to North-East students.
The upcoming elections at UoH are not just a routine exercise in student politics but a historic moment that reflects the evolving landscape of student representation in Indian universities. The diverse group of candidates and alliances signifies a growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity and the empowerment of students from all backgrounds.
As the clock counts down to November 9, students, faculty, and observers across the nation will be watching with keen interest to see the outcome of this pivotal election and the impact it will have on the University of Hyderabad’s student body and its future direction.
