He also points to the shortage of drinking water and poor wi-fi on campus. “Wi-fi exists only in name. Just understand how much the student union has done,” he says.
Student Ayesha says whoever wins must ensure basic facilities. “Whoever wins, students should get facilities. Classrooms should have ACs. There should be good wi-fi, not something that exists just for show. There should be adequate water. These are basic things, but even those are not available,” she says.
On Metro concession passes, she says: “That is a long way off. When basic facilities are not available on campus, what is the point of talking about a Metro pass?”
Campaign turns contentious
The campaign has not been entirely peaceful. On the final day of campaigning, 16 September, NSUI alleged that an Adivasi student activist associated with the organisation had been attacked outside Motilal Nehru College by ABVP members.
On 17 September, NSUI issued another statement condemning alleged late-night attacks at the residences of its candidates Vijay Shankar Meena and Gopal Chaudhary. The organisation alleged that around 200 ABVP workers targeted its candidates as part of an attempt to intimidate them.
ABVP and representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party’s student wing ASAP were also reportedly involved in a clash outside Motilal Nehru College on Tuesday evening.
According to The Hindu, a student who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “50 to 60 ABVP workers entered the campus, even though the rules allow no more than five students to enter. Both groups attacked each other, and the police did not stop them even though they were fighting in front of the police.”
There was also a reported altercation between two students at Satyawati College, in which both were injured. According to reports, two vehicles were damaged and 19-year-old Ansh and Bhavishya Chaudhary were taken to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital for treatment.
Protest echoes on campus
The atmosphere on campus has also been shaped by the student and youth protest at Jantar Mantar demanding accountability over paper leaks. In the wake of the movement, students and organisations appear to be reassessing the issues and politics of the university.
That change is particularly visible in the diverse north campus. On the day after campaigning ended, with the campus relatively quiet, Sanjay says the student movement and the Satya Niketan incident have generated sympathy among students for some organisations.
“The decision will be made through the vote. Today, it cannot be said who will win and who will lose. But the message that comes out of DU will be heard at the national level,” he says.
