The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus once again turned into a volatile arena of ideological warfare as the much-anticipated Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) presidential debate unfolded into a five-hour political showdown late April 23 night. The much-awaited presidential debate for the JNUSU elections began with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram,” as students gathered in large numbers at the university amphitheatre, eager to witness what is often seen as the defining moment of the student body polls.
The highly charged debate marked the final showdown before over 7,900 students cast their votes in the JNUSU elections on April 25.
The evening opened with a moment of silence for the 26 lives lost in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. But it quickly spiraled into a fierce political exchange as candidates hurled barbs and invoked larger national and international issues. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)’s presidential candidate Shikha Swaraj set the tone with a sharp rhetorical question: “To those who say terrorism has no religion — were the victims not asked their faith?” Her speech fused nationalist fervour with ideological denunciation of the Left, ending with a dramatic line: “Andhera hai, raat hai… laal andhera chhantega.”
ABVP’s Vaibhav Meena, contesting for Joint Secretary, took aim at JNUSU’s Left-dominated past: “In the last ten years, the Left-ruled JNUSU has not done anything in the interest of the university. This past year alone, their representatives have no report card to show. In schools where counsellors and conveners are from the Left, their reports failed, while ABVP-led counsellor reports passed with full support.”
पिछले 10 वर्षों में लेफ्ट शासित JNUSU ने जेएनयू के हित में कोई काम नहीं किया है। पिछले एक वर्ष के कार्यकाल में जेएनयूएसयू के प्रतिनिधियों के पास गिनाने के लिए कोई काम नहीं है।
एक तरफ जिन स्कूलों में लेफ्ट के काउंसलर और कन्वेनर है उनमें काउंसलर रिपोर्ट गिर गई, वहीं दूसरी ओर जिन… pic.twitter.com/2gTXId1YWn
— ABVP JNU (@abvpjnu) April 23, 2025
The focus of the night quickly shifted to the presidential candidate from the ABVP, Shikha Swaraj, who delivered a powerful and emotionally charged speech, setting a strong nationalist tone. Representing ABVP’s central panel and currently serving as Unit Minister of ABVP JNU, Swaraj opened her address with a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, questioning those who deny any religious angle in terrorism. “When some say terrorism has no religion, why won’t they tell us the identity of the attackers?” she asked, sharply.
Swaraj proudly invoked her roots in Bihar, referencing the state’s rich civilisational legacy. “This is the land of Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya, and Chanakya — the birthplace of Mahavir’s penance, Karpoori Thakur’s social justice, Dinkar’s fearless poetry, and Dashrath Manjhi’s grit. I come from this soil,” she declared, drawing applause from the crowd.
Her speech pivoted into a scathing critique of the Left-dominated student groups in JNU. “Two ideologies now stand face to face — one represented by the Left, entangled in internal squabbles, and the other by ABVP, a symbol of nationalism, student service, and unwavering dedication,” she asserted.
Accusing the Left of being indifferent to real student issues, she said, “They only care about Lenin, Stalin, and Marx, even if hostel ceilings collapse or water is unavailable.” Referring to the “tukde tukde” mentality, she remarked, “They have already broken into fragments themselves. If given a chance, they’d tear the country apart too.”
Swaraj also highlighted ABVP’s on-ground achievements and service record, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “When everyone was worried about survival, ABVP volunteers were helping students. Wi-Fi, e-rickshaws, barrack hostels — these are available in JNU today because of ABVP’s struggles,” she said.
She spoke passionately about the plight of Hindus in Kolkata, Sandeshkhali, and Murshidabad, positioning herself as the voice of those who are unheard. “I stand here not just as a candidate but as the voice of the oppressed, especially the women suffering in these regions,” she stated.
Concluding her speech with a call to reclaim JNU from what she described as ideological darkness, Swaraj said, “The red shadows will soon be lifted. With ABVP’s spirit, this campus will shine once again in the light of the national flag.”
This year, new political alignments have added to the intrigue. AISA has joined forces with DSF, while Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association (BAPSA), AISF, and Progressive Students’ Association (PSA) have formed another left-leaning bloc. ABVP, riding on a wave of nationalism and campus activism, has fielded a complete panel — Shikha Swaraj (President), Nittu Goutham (Vice-President), Kunal Rai (General Secretary), and Vaibhav Meena (Joint Secretary).
Their rivals from the AISA-DSF front include Nitish Kumar (President), Manisha (Vice-President), Munteha Fatima (General Secretary), and Naresh Kumar (Joint Secretary).
The voter base — 7,906 strong — is diverse, with 57 per cent male and 43 per cent female voters, ensuring a robust turnout is expected. Voting will be conducted in two shifts on April 25, with counting slated to begin the same night. Results will be announced by April 28.
