NEW DELHI: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on September 16, accused Congress and its student wing NSUI of “politicising” student issues, alleging that the organisations first turned the Satya Niketan tragedy into a social media exercise and are now questioning a proposed hostel initiative for 10,000 students.
In a press statement, ABVP said Congress-NSUI had earlier highlighted the shortage of hostel facilities for students but was now questioning the proposed solution after an announcement was made to expand accommodation capacity.
ABVP Delhi State Secretary Sarthak Sharma alleged that Congress-NSUI’s response reflected an attempt to keep student issues alive as political controversies rather than focus on solutions.
“From making reels by hammering the debris at the time of the Satya Niketan tragedy to now questioning the announcement of hostels for 10,000 students,” Sharma said, accusing Congress-NSUI of repeatedly politicising issues concerning students.
Sharma said the shortage of safe and affordable accommodation has been a longstanding concern among students and argued that increasing hostel capacity should be viewed as a response to that demand. He questioned why Congress-NSUI was raising objections to the hostel proposal after previously highlighting accommodation shortages.
“Does Congress-NSUI want a solution to students’ accommodation problems or merely want to keep the issue alive for political purposes?” Sharma asked.
The ABVP leader also turned the criticism towards the Congress party’s record in Delhi, arguing that the party had governed the national capital for decades and questioning what measures had been taken during that period to address the shortage of hostel facilities.
He said student accommodation was a serious issue that should not be reduced to a political tool.
The statement comes against the backdrop of the Satya Niketan tragedy, which had triggered concerns over student safety and living conditions. ABVP alleged that Congress-NSUI’s actions at the site, including making social-media reels while interacting with debris, reflected an insensitive approach to the incident.
ABVP reiterated that it has been demanding greater hostel capacity and safe, affordable and accessible accommodation for students. The organisation said the proposed expansion of hostel facilities for 10,000 students should be viewed in the context of the continuing demand for better student accommodation.
