jnusu-elects-its-first-dalit-president-from-left-after-nearly-three-decades

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) made history on Sunday by electing its first Dalit president from the Left-backed groups in nearly three decades.

The United Left panel achieved a sweeping victory in the JNUSU election, defeating its closest competitor, the RSS-affiliated ABVP, on March 24.

In the polls, which took place after a gap of four years, Dhananjay from the All India Students' Association (AISA) secured the JNUSU president's position with 2,598 votes, surpassing the ABVP's Umesh C Ajmeera, who garnered 1,676 votes.

Dhananjay, originally from Gaya, Bihar, became the first Dalit president from the Left since Batti Lal Bairwa was elected in 1996-97.

Expressing his thoughts to PTI after the victory, Dhananjay said, "This win reflects the students' rejection of divisive politics and violence. It reaffirms their trust in us. We will continue advocating for their rights and addressing student concerns."

Issues such as campus safety for women, budget cuts, scholarship increments, and infrastructure and water crises rank high on the students' union agenda.

Supporters celebrated the victorious candidates with chants of 'Lal Salaam' and 'Jai Bhim,' waving red, white, and blue flags.

Avijit Ghosh of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) defeated ABVP's Deepika Sharma by 927 votes for the vice-president's position. Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA) candidate Priyanshi Arya secured the general secretary post by defeating ABVP's Arjun Anand with a margin of 926 votes.

The United Left supported Arya after the Election Committee invalidated its candidate Swati Singh's nomination, which the ABVP challenged.

Mohammad Sajid of the Left won the joint secretary's position, defeating ABVP's Govind Dangi by 508 votes, marking the narrowest margin among the winners.

The Left's dominance in the polls reaffirmed JNU's status as a Left-leaning stronghold. Despite a strong challenge from the ABVP, the Left panel emerged victorious.

The United Left panel includes AISA, the Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), the Students' Federation of India (SFI), and the All India Students' Federation (AISF).

The JNUSU polls witnessed a remarkable 73% voter turnout, the highest in 12 years.