Post the exciting freshers’ and theme parties that hail the entry of fuchchas into the fold of college life, Delhi University is gearing up for its next big event. September sees the university premises transform into a hotbed of political activity with hand-made posters pasted on every possible vacant space and pamphlets strewn along the pavements and roads. Classes are interrupted midway by student activists of various parties propagating their agenda for the upcoming DUSU (Delhi University) elections. With the final list of candidates out on Friday and the elections taking place on September 13, rallies, political gatherings and canvassing is on in full swing.
The four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) has been a topic of much debate and discussion amongst the students and teachers. It comes as no surprise then that the issue finds top priority in the agenda list of all the parties.
“We are not against the FYUP programme because it is time DU engaged in some job-oriented education. So many people pass out of DU annually, but not everybody gets a job immediately. They have to take up a professional course after graduation. FYUP will help to bridge that gap and students can even look forward to a diploma, if they want to start working early,” says Amrish Ranjan Pandey, spokesperson, National Students Union of India (NSUI), backed by the Congress.
On the other hand, Rohit Chahal, state secretary, Akhil Bhartiya Vishwa Parishad (ABVP) puts forth, “We feel the way the FYUP has been implemented is wrong. Neither students nor teachers have been involved in the process of preparing the curriculum or deciding on the study matter.” The All India Students’ Association (AISA) also organised a referendum in 18 colleges asking students to vote for or against the FYUP recently. “Almost 91 per cent students voted against it and we will be sending the referendum to the President of India,” says Sunny Kumar, AISA state secretary.
The issue of safety of women in the campus, more hostels for students and new colleges to accommodate the increasing number of aspirants also figure in the agenda of all three parties.
“We are looking towards implementation of a proper mechanism of gender-sensitivity among students in the campus. The rising cases of misconduct and molestation of women needs to be tackled head-on,” adds Kumar.
He also talks about how there were hooliganism and molestation cases reported at a recent freshers’ fest organised by a rival party, where Mohit Chauhan had performed.
With numerous outstation candidates coming to the capital, there is a massive need to increase accommodation for them. “Since the hostels in the campus are not able to accommodate the burgeoning population of outstation students, the PGs and residences around the campus have increased the room rents steeply. Many students find it difficult to afford them. We are pressing for Room Rent Control Act and even more colleges.”
While most party workers and student volunteers are engaged in making posters and pamphlets and going for door-to-door campaigning, the parties are also immensely active on social media like Facebook and Twitter. “We have a Facebook page where we have highlighted our agenda and activities undertaken by us over the last one year. There is a proper team that regularly updates it. In addition, we are garnering great response on our twitter handles,” puts forth Pandey.
Many fuchchas are looking forward to cast their vote for the first time for DUSU. “After school, every experience is unique in college life. We were surprised to see the level of campaigning by student activists and on few occasions, our professors had to stall their classes midway to let the student leaders put forth their agenda. Having just entered university life, I would like to cast my vote and show my political affiliation,” said Shreya Kothari, a first year history student of DU.