Amid chants of ‘Jai Bhim,’ ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai,’ and ‘Lal Salam,’ candidates contending for the JNU presidential post engaged in fervent speeches during Wednesday night’s highly anticipated debate.

A sizable crowd gathered at Jhelum Lawn, setting the stage for the upcoming JNUSU polls scheduled for March 22.

The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as students and supporters cheered for their leaders and raised slogans before the debate commenced, accompanied by the sounds of dhols and trumpets.

Retired Supreme Court Justice V Ramasubramanian oversaw the debate to ensure fairness and transparency, appointed by the Delhi High Court as an observer for this year’s JNUSU elections.

Candidates from various student outfits addressed key issues such as Manipur violence, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, farmers’ protests, electoral bonds, and the Israel-Palestine conflict, along with university-related concerns.

The debate opened with a speech from Aradhana Yadav, the sole female presidential candidate representing the Samajwadi Party’s student wing, addressing campus safety and discrimination against women, promising advocacy for minority reservation and ‘deprivation points.’

The United Left Alliance’s presidential candidate, Dhananjay, voiced concerns about increased fees due to Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA) loans and unemployment, pledging to address campus infrastructure issues and demand the release of detained student leaders.

ABVP’s presidential candidate, Umesh Chandra Ajmira, expressed confidence in victory, highlighting the outfit’s governance and advocacy for student rights.

NSUI’s Junaid Raza and BAPSA’s Biswajit Minji delivered impassioned speeches, criticizing both left and right-wing groups and appealing to the student community for support.

Disruptions during some leaders’ speeches prompted the Election Committee to confiscate drums and instruments used for disruption.

JNUSU polls are set for March 22, with results announced on March 24.

Source: PTI

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