JNUSU elects first Dalit President from left in nearly three decades

Avijit Ghosh of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) clinched the vice-president position, defeating ABVP’s Deepika Sharma by 927 votes.

Written by FE Online

In a significant milestone for the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), a Left-backed candidate from the Dalit community has been elected as president after nearly three decades, reported PTI.

The United Left panel achieved a victory in the JNUSU elections, overcoming its closest competitor, the RSS-affiliated ABVP.

Following a four-year hiatus, the elections saw Dhananjay, representing the All India Students’ Association (AISA), secure the presidency with 2,598 votes, surpassing his nearest rival, Umesh C Ajmeera of the ABVP, who garnered 1,676 votes.

Hailing from Gaya, Bihar, Dhananjay marks the first Dalit president from the Left since Batti Lal Bairwa’s tenure in 1996-97.

“This victory reflects the rejection of divisive politics by the students of JNU. Their trust in us reaffirms our commitment to advocating for their rights and addressing pertinent student concerns,” Dhananjay said.

Key priorities outlined by the union include ensuring the safety of women on campus, addressing funding cuts, advocating for scholarship increases and tackling infrastructural and water supply challenges.

Amidst chants of ‘Lal Salaam’ and ‘Jai Bhim,’ supporters celebrated the victory, waving flags of red, white, and blue.

Avijit Ghosh of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) clinched the vice-president position, defeating ABVP’s Deepika Sharma by 927 votes, while Priyanshi Arya, backed by the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association (BAPSA) and the Left, secured the general secretary’s role, triumphing over ABVP’s Arjun Anand by 926 votes.

The Left’s Mohammad Sajid secured the joint secretary position, prevailing over ABVP’s Govind Dangi by a narrow margin of 508 votes.

With a sweeping victory by the Left panel, JNU reinforces its iamge as a bastion of leftist ideology. The ABVP initially led in all four central panel positions but faced formidable competition from the Left.

Comprising AISA, Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF), SFI, and the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), the United Left panel emerged victorious amidst stiff competition.

The JNUSU elections witnessed a notable 73% voter turnout, the highest in over a decade, with nineteen candidates vying for central panel positions and 42 contending for school counsellor roles, including eight contenders for the prestigious presidency.

Courtesy : TFE

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