Archive · 19 Sep 2026
SP, Congress Student Wings Demand Revival of UP Union Elections
Student groups in Uttar Pradesh want colleges and universities to hold student union elections again.
They say students need elected representatives to speak about fees, hostels and other problems.
The Samajwadi Party’s student wing and the Congress student wing criticized the BJP for not restoring these elections.
They pointed to student elections recently held at Delhi University.
The groups say student politics can help young people become leaders.
They also say students from working-class, farming and poorer families should get this opportunity.
Elections in parts of Uttar Pradesh have been suspended for different lengths of time.
The stated reason for the suspension is concern about violence and law-and-order problems.
The Samajwadi Party says it would restore the elections if it returns to power in the state.
Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and NSUI demanded the restoration of student union elections across Uttar Pradesh.
The groups questioned why elections are held in Delhi while direct student polls remain suspended at several Uttar Pradesh institutions.
Vineet Kushwaha alleged elections were restored under the Samajwadi Party government but stopped again after the BJP came to power in 2017.
Supporters said unions help students raise concerns about fees, hostels and alleged harassment, while developing future political leaders.
In the DUSU election, ABVP won three posts, while independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won vice president; ABVP’s Yash Dabas defeated NSUI’s Vijay Shankar Meena for president.
- Who
- The Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the National Students’ Union of India, represented by Vineet Kushwaha and Aryan Mishra, made the demand.
- What
- They demanded the restoration of direct student union elections in Uttar Pradesh universities and colleges.
- When
- The demand intensified after Delhi University’s student election results were declared; the report was dated September 19.
- Where
- Across Uttar Pradesh, with Delhi University’s election results serving as the comparison.
- Why
- The student groups said elections give students a platform to raise institutional concerns and develop leaders, while polls in Uttar Pradesh have been suspended over violence and law-and-order concerns.
Supporters of Restoration
Suspension Rationale
Whether elections should return
Supporters of Restoration
The Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and NSUI said student union polls should be restored across Uttar Pradesh, arguing that students need representatives and a route into public leadership.
Suspension Rationale
The article says elections remain suspended at several institutions because of concerns about violence and law-and-order problems.
Effect on student voices
Supporters of Restoration
Supporters said unions allow students to raise issues including fee increases, hostel facilities and alleged harassment, and that cancelling elections weakens student politics.
Suspension Rationale
The reported concerns about violence and public order provide the stated basis for continuing the suspension, although no opposing organization or official statement is quoted.
- Main demand
- Restore student union elections in universities and colleges across Uttar Pradesh.
- Groups making the demand
- Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the National Students’ Union of India.
- Government criticism
- The groups questioned the BJP’s silence on restoring Uttar Pradesh polls while BJP leaders and ministers congratulated Delhi University election winners.
- Previous restoration claim
- Vineet Kushwaha said elections were restored under a Samajwadi Party government and stopped again after the BJP came to power in 2017.
- Reason cited for suspension
- Direct elections have remained suspended for varying periods at several Uttar Pradesh universities because of concerns about violence and law-and-order issues.
- DUSU result
- ABVP won the president, secretary and joint secretary posts; independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won vice president.
- Presidential vote margin
- ABVP’s Yash Dabas defeated NSUI’s Vijay Shankar Meena by 2,053 votes, receiving 24,576 votes against 22,523.