Union Elections at Universities

Mohammed Younus :

Student groups and unions have been coming out in support of the student union elections on university campuses in the State ever since the University Grants Commission issued a directive regarding the same.

The directive of the UGC has given a push to the voice of students, who have been in favour of elections on varsity campuses. They have now come out strongly in support of the move seeking an immediate nod from the State government. Progressive Democratic Student Union representative Avula Ashok said that due to lack of proper representation of students in the Executive Councils, a decisive body in all the varsities, the decisions are being taken were not in favour of students rather in support of managements

The directive of the UGC has given a push to the voice of students, who have been in favour of elections on varsity campuses. They have now come out strongly in support of the move seeking an immediate nod from the State government. Students believe that if the ban on student union elections is lifted and fair elections are conducted, it would pave the way for establishing a young leadership among the prospective candidates in a democratic way.

No state university conducted union elections for students in the State for the past 30 years after it was banned by the then chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh. Student groups believe that student elections would definitely change the face of politics in the future. Progressive Democratic Student Union (PDSU) representative Avula Ashok said that due to lack of proper representation of students in the Executive Councils, a decisive body in all the varsities, the decisions are being taken were not in favour of students rather in support of managements.

He said, “Once a genuine student body is formed it would fight for the rights of students in all the forums and a democratic atmosphere would prevail in the higher learning centres.” However, he expressed doubts over the compliance of the State government to the directives of UGC for conducting union elections. University of Hyderabad student union leader Benny Vincent said that by virtue union students have been able to solve their issues in a more democratic way.

SFI State secretary M Nageshwar Rao said that union elections at college campuses would pave the way for producing future leaders in a fair manner. He said, “Today’s politics is flooded with the leaders whose background is not academic. Most of them are toddy businessmen or rowdy-sheeters. Elections at the varsity level will see greater participation from youth and also motivate them to part of the mainstream electoral process.”

He opined that leadership developed through academics would serve the nation better, besides working towards student welfare on education campuses. “Supreme Court and Lyngdoh Commission had recommended the holding of student union elections in colleges and we will strive hard to make it a reality,” he said. 

ABVP State secretary J Niranjan welcomed the directive given by UGC and urged the State government to facilitate the union elections as early as possible. In Telangana there are around 10 universities and scores of post graduate and degree colleges. Student leaders elected at degree and PG level would transfer to the universities and can directly enter into the electoral politics.