"Do you want air-conditioned classrooms? Fee reduction?" "Frustrated by the new NEP? Do not worry, vote for us, and all your worries will be driven away". False promises like these are made every year when it is the time for the Delhi University Elections. All the parties make a joke about the campaigning process just to flaunt their money, achieving nothing of real value. I worry about our country's future if people like these later go on to become the leaders of the whole country.
Every year around September, there comes the time when all of North Campus is covered with huge banners and billboards of parties and their obnoxious candidates, roads are littered with pamphlets of the same candidates' names with ballot numbers, and cars are seen parading with thunderous music playing and men's torsos peeking out through the sunroofs. Not only does it hinder our studies, but it also makes women like me feel very unsafe in a space that is otherwise a second home to us. The student elections should reflect how elections actually take place in the largest democracy that is our country, but in reality, these elections just seem like playtime for middle-aged unemployed men.
The promises of almost every party are the same, ranging from removing the extra subjects that were added as a result of the National Education Policy 2020, as it has only resulted in burdening the students more instead of upskilling them, to creating a safe and inclusive environment. Regarding the former, parties have been speaking about this since 2021/22, but no action has been taken on it, and it remains to be campaigning propaganda for them. For the latter, how they campaign is enough for us to know how shallow they really are.
Men forcefully enter women's colleges, with their candidates wearing garlands of marigolds around their necks and shouting rudely at security guards, which clearly shows how much they care about inclusivity and safety. It's not only men. It is with the help of women that men are able to force their way into women's spaces. Hands put together as if during a prayer, they go around the college, repeating their name and slogans about their ballot number. I hope they are self-aware to the extent that they realize what they are doing will not help them garner votes.
This is about the DU elections, which take place on a large scale. There are also college student union elections, which are not very different from the former. Every class is interrupted by some party members who tell us what they are propagating and how they can help improve the situation of college facilities and administration. It is all so repetitive. I remember in my first year, we were naïve, so we actually dared to have expectations because, after all, they were our seniors, and who else could understand us better? But as sophomores, the repetitiveness becomes tedious.
At the end of the day, I understand that it is just their efforts to build their CVs in an economy where getting a job has become so difficult. But I am left incredulous at how these students are so willing to give up their time as well as studies in what is mostly just futile hope.
The cat-calling out of cars and beating on drums outside college gates gives way to the presence of police officials. For every two campaigning cars, there are two police vans to keep them in check. There is an increased number of police officers outside every college. If there is a need to go to such a large extent to ensure nothing unfortunate happens, I think this is sufficient reason for parties to reflect on their practices. Till last year, I also received calls from unknown callers claiming to be party members and asking me to vote for them. I may not be politically active, but I am sure this is not morally or ethically correct.
This corrupt representation of our future leaders raises great concerns about the democratic future of India. As much as it is a great practice to inculcate enthusiasm for voting and being aware of our rights, it is also crucial that a safe environment is created for it. I am sure that the safety of an area need not be compromised for a party to make its agendas known to all. I am sure thousands of pamphlets need not be littered everywhere; their billboards are enough.
I am also sure that making noise in the pretence of playing songs to attract students is very unnecessary; their large number of cars, which all look alike, do the trick nevertheless. I hope that in the coming years, we actually get to witness improvements in place of an even greater number of police cars and the sound of their sirens.
Let us know your views on student activism in the Delhi University elections in the comments below, or you can also share your piece with us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com. Make your voice heard!
