In an electrifying update from Jawaharlal Nehru University, the student union election crowned its first Dalit president in nearly three decades, supported by the left-wing alliance. The United Left coalition, outmaneuvering the ABVP linked to RSS, accomplished a flawless victory. Coming to power after a four-year hiatus, Dhananjay of All India Students Association secured a stout victory by notching 2,598 votes for the presidential role. His opponent, Umesh C Ajmera from ABVP, managed 1,676 votes. Emerging from the state of Bihar, president-elect Dhananjay becomes the first Dalit leader after Batti Lal Bairwa to hold the mantle under the Left's banner.
The Stride Against Politics of Spite...
After the landslide victory, Dhananjay addressed the community, voicing that the victory was not just a triumph but a bold statement by JNU's students firmly opposing politics fueled by animosity and conflict. They have renewed their faith in our leadership, he pronounced, promising relentless advocacy for their rights and assiduous work on issues directly impacting the student fraternity. Advocating an agenda focused on women's safety, financial rights including scholarships, improved infrastructure, alongside addressing the impending water crisis are slated as priorities for the student governance.
The campus burst into a symphony of 'Red Salutes' and 'Jai Bhim' as the air thrummed with celebrations. Participants exuberantly waved banners of red, white, and blue, exalting the victories which heralded a new era.
Also gaining triumph...
In a powerful display of left unity, other positions too witnessed a shift in power. Avijit Ghosh from the Students' Federation of India clinched the vice-president seat by triumphing over ABVP's nominee, Deepika Sharma, with a lead of 927 votes. Priyanshi Arya of the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association stamped her authority as the general secretary, securing vote margin that bespeaks the faith of her constituency. In a collaborative spirit, United Left rallied behind Arya post the disqualification incident of their initial candidate, Swati Singh.
Furthermore, Mohammed Sajid, championing the left's cause, sealed a victory for the position of joint secretary. With these succession of wins, JNU reinforces its long-standing perception as a bastion of leftist ideology. ABVP, despite the defeat, showcased commendable competition, signifying the robustness of democratic engagement within the institution.
The Apex of Democratic Engagement...
The entirety of the United Left panel—comprising groups like the AISA, DSF, SFI, and AISF—and their celebratory victory marked a momentous occasion punctuated by an impressive 73% voter participation, a statistic representing the peak in the past dozen years.
