The National Students Union of India (NSUI) on Monday announced a nationwide organisational election process for its college, university, district and state units. The Congress student wing said the elections would be conducted through a transparent, app-based system, while the party would also prepare an Education Charter based on suggestions from students, teachers and parents.
Election Process and Eligibility
The announcement was made by NSUI incharge Kanhaiya Kumar and national president Vinod Jakhar, along with Central Election Authority (CEA) members KK Shastri, Kiran Mugabasav and Nishant Mandal. The CEA said the Congress leadership has constituted the authority to conduct free and fair organisational elections across the country. “Elections will be held in phases, beginning with a membership drive in states where polls are scheduled. The first phase will elect college and university presidents and committees, followed by elections for district and state units through elected representatives,” said the CEA.
Indian students aged between 16 and 27 years will be eligible to become members and contest the elections. Membership will require a college identity card and Aadhaar card, with a fee of Rs 45 for a three-year term. The entire process will be conducted through an online, app-based system to ensure transparency. The organisation also announced rotational reservation for women, SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities based on the demographic profile of individual states.
Political Allegations and Education Charter
Kanhaiya Kumar alleged that the BJP and RSS had weakened the country’s education system by curbing student politics and undermining campus democracy. “The Narendra Modi government had pushed India’s education system into a state of crisis. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, has been interacting with students across the country to understand their concerns and recently presented his views on education before students, parents and educationists in Kota,” Kumar said, adding, “NSUI is collecting suggestions from students, teachers and parents to prepare an Education Charter aimed at reforming the sector.”
Demands for Examination Reforms
On examination irregularities, Kumar reiterated the Congress’ demand that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign immediately and his links with the paper leak mafia be investigated through a high-level probe. He further said, “There is a need for a radical overhaul of the country’s education system, adding that the UPA government had formally constituted a committee for this purpose, but the NDA government arbitrarily created the National Testing Agency (NTA), leading to administrative disorder.”
Job Calendar and University Appointments
He also demanded a regular national job calendar for youth and a time-bound academic and recruitment calendar to streamline examinations and hiring. Vinod Jakhar questioned the repeated extension granted to the DU VC and said, “Students raising their voices face legal intimidation while people associated with a particular ideology are being appointed to senior positions in educational institutions.”
