4 days ago
Gujarat Student Leaders Seek Campus Elections and Academic Reforms
Students in Gujarat are still interested in issues affecting their education.
Many are worried about exam paper leaks, high fees, delayed scholarships and slow admissions.
They also say some colleges do not have enough permanent teachers or basic facilities.
Several student leaders want universities to hold elections again.
They believe elections help students choose representatives who can speak to the government.
Others say students are now less interested in joining political groups and care more about their studies.
Some leaders support student protests, but they disagree about political parties becoming involved.
One leader said elections were stopped because of violence and clashes on campuses.
Former student activists said campus organisations can also become a path into national politics.
Gujarat student leaders say campus politics continues despite university elections being suspended.
They cite paper leaks, fee concerns, delayed scholarships, admissions delays and faculty shortages as key issues.
Several leaders want campus elections restored, while others emphasize academics and recruitment outside political organizations.
The last Gujarat University elections were held in 2020, with NSUI winning six of eight senate seats.
Student leaders disagree over protests, political involvement and whether campus violence can be controlled through stronger security.
- Who
- Student leaders and organisations including ABVP, NSUI, SFI and AAP’s student wing in Gujarat.
- What
- They are debating the return of campus elections and raising academic and student-rights concerns.
- Where
- Gujarat universities, especially Gujarat University, and the CJP demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- When
- Gujarat University last held elections in 2020; the article also refers to an August 21 event and recent CJP protests.
- Why
- Leaders cite student representation, paper leaks, admissions delays, fees, scholarships, faculty shortages and campus facilities.
Election and Protest Supporters
Caution, Academic Focus and Regulation
Restoring campus elections
Election and Protest Supporters
Dharmik Mathukiya and Manish Doshi said elections are essential for student representation and leadership, arguing that problems should be regulated rather than suppressing elections.
Caution, Academic Focus and Regulation
Opponents cite violence and clashes associated with campus politics as the reason elections were discontinued; some leaders say students are currently more focused on academics than political organisations.
Student priorities
Election and Protest Supporters
ABVP, NSUI and SFI leaders highlighted paper leaks, admissions delays, fees, scholarships, faculty shortages and student-rights concerns as reasons for continued mobilisation.
Caution, Academic Focus and Regulation
Rahul Tharoda said students are less willing to join political organisations, while student groups are adapting by recruiting in colleges, hostels and paying-guest accommodations.
Political involvement in protests
Election and Protest Supporters
Rahul Tharoda said the government was scared of students taking to the streets, and the article reports that CJP protests led to Dharmendra Pradhan resigning as Union Education Minister.
Caution, Academic Focus and Regulation
ABVP’s Devansh Brahmbhatt said the student movement was legitimate but criticised political parties for introducing unrelated issues, including Article 370, LGBTQ+ rights and religious slogans, into the NEET protest.
Key facts
- Last Gujarat University election
- 2020
- 2020 election result
- NSUI won six of eight senate seats; ABVP won the remaining two.
- Key admissions issue
- Leaders criticised the Gujarat Common Admission Service for delays that can last months.
- Other academic concerns
- Delayed government scholarships, permanent-faculty shortages, inadequate lectures and water problems were cited.
- Main election argument
- Supporters say elections help students communicate their rights and problems to authorities.
- Reason elections were discontinued
- Dharmik Mathukiya attributed the decision to violence and clashes associated with student politics.
- Political pathway
- Former activists described student organisations as routes into Youth Congress, BJP and other political work.
Quotes
Devansh Brahmbhatt
Gujarat State Secretary of the ABVP.
“If you don’t hold elections, then you can never understand what student rights are, what students want, what problems they are facing. These issues will never reach the government.”
indianexpress.com
“Elections are essential for developing new campus leadership. If there are issues, regulate or control them, but don’t suppress student representation entirely.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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