The Election Committee for the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) on Monday announced that it will not cancel the nomination for the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) candidate for president in the upcoming polls.
Candidate Vikas Yadav’s nomination was recommended for rejection by the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) of the university.
Fined, hostel transfer
The GRC recommended the cancellation of the nomination citing a proctorial inquiry against him for blocking a road at JNU and frying pakoras in protest. He was fined ₹20,000 and a hostel transfer for the protest.
“In reference to the letter sent by the GRC regarding the candidature of Vikas Yadav, the Election Commission has unanimously decided not to accept the recommendation. Hence his nomination remains valid,” said Election Commission chairperson Himanshu Kulshrestha. Meanwhile, NSUI also approached the Delhi High Court on Monday challenging the order cancelling the candidature of Yadav. However, the High Court stayed the order.
The NSUI called it a moral victory not just for the NSUI but also for the students of JNU who have been at the receiving end of a dictatorial administration appointed by the RSS-BJP government.
“The NSUI stands vindicated after the court order and we are confident of a victory in the upcoming student union elections at JNU,” the NSUI said.
NSUI incharge Ruchi Gupta said: “Courts have repeatedly overturned illegal acts of the university administration to assist the ABVP, at the behest of the BJP government at the Centre. It is a shame that even student union elections are no longer immune to political machinations by Modi-Shah duo but we are grateful to the judiciary for standing up for what is right and fair”.
She pointed out that even last year, in DU the administration under the government’s order disqualified the nomination of NSUI’s presidential candidate Rocky Tuseed for DUSU polls on flimsy grounds. Mr. Yadav said: “The decision of the JNU administration to revoke my candidature for the presidential election of JNUSU marks a victory not only for NSUI and JNU but also the democratic student community of JNU against the prevalent authoritarian regime in our university. It also signifies our capacity to defend, fight and win for the student on the face of any adversity from any front.”
“The NSUI went to the court and got the disqualification overturned. The students of DU went to elect Mr. Tuseed despite him getting only one day to campaign. It is sad that the JNU administration has learnt nothing from this experience and is undermining it’s own credibility with such blatantly partisan actions,” Ms. Gupta added. The JNUSU polls are scheduled on September 14 after a debate of the candidates is held on September 12.