Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on August 26 staged a massive demonstration at the Faculty of Arts against the Delhi University administration’s autocratic decision to impose an unreasonable provision that mandates a student to furnish a Rs 1 lakh bond for contesting in Students’ Union elections. To raise dissent against the university administration, students from Hindu College, Ramjas College, Kirori Mal College, and Miranda House gathered at ABVP’s demonstration and raised their demand to abjure the draconian provision.
ABVP has been at the forefront against the university’s unfair provision since the authorities initiated the move to impose it on candidates contesting in polls. Delhi University Students’ Union elections always serve as a platform that enhances the interest of the student community in the democratic process. Students’ Union elections are the initial and foremost phase in the democratic process.
The unreasonable provision that mandates a candidate to furnish a Rs 1 lakh bond for contesting in university elections will blatantly lead to the marginalisation of students on a financial basis, which is unjust. Providing an opportunity for every student to contest in university elections is crucial to safeguard their rights; therefore, it’s vital to withdraw the unilateral decision of the administration to impose this unreasonable provision pertaining to polls.
During the peaceful demonstration, ABVP escalated the demand to instantly withdraw the provisions related to furnishing a Rs 1 lakh bond to contest in polls, which have been imposed by the university administration arbitrarily.
ABVP State Secretary Sarthak Sharma stated, “ABVP demands the university administration to immediately revoke the autocratic decision to impose a provision that mandates a student to furnish a Rs 1 lakh bond for contesting in Students’ Union elections. If the autocratic administration remains reluctant to withdraw the guidelines, then they will witness a series of protests and even face legal consequences. Additionally, the university’s Rs 1 lakh bond is contradictory and a clear violation of the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, which mandate a candidate’s expenditure must not exceed ₹5,000 in Students’ Union elections.”
