Do students’ unions serve any purpose?
The month of September reflects the fervour and anticipation of student union elections across campuses in India. The last month saw heavily contested polls in the University of Delhi (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University, Hyderabad Central University, Gauhati University and Raj as than University among others. While certain issues such as campus infrastructure have remained the key cornerstones of election campaigns and candidate manifestos, voter apathy has emerged as another concern which often makes campus watchers wonder if student elections are necessary and truly democratic.
“A students’ union is essential to represent students and ensure their voices are heard by the administration,” says Aravindhan Nagarajan, PhD candidate at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and member, Progressive Students’ Forum. “Of course, a union cannot solve all problems but if they put forward the students’ concerns relating to infrastructure, hostels and fees and manage to protest against the administration, they are doing their job well.”
Detractors of the elections say that most students use these as planks to launch their political careers and advance to the next level in politics without really doing much about actual student problems. “This is a concern regarding the Delhi University student Union elections where no matter which party wins, elections are mostly fought on the basis of money or muscle power, doling out freebies or intimidation, with very little focus on actual concerns of students,” says Avantika Tewari, a member of the feminist students’ collective, Pinjra Tod. However, most feel that a democratic polity must have safe spaces for students to participate in the policy making process as such decisions impact their ability to fully participate in the activities of the institution. “As members of the student union, we participate in all policy-making decisions barring those related to financial matters and this is an important contribution in setting the agenda of the university,” says Geeta Kumari, president, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union.
But do unions have any power to get the administration to take cognizance of their demands? “Indeed, the maximum we can do is to organise a protest but if students are mobilised across campuses the way we did when the number of research seats were slashed, it can generate an impact,” says Kumari.
Concurs Nagarajan, “Unions can’t exist in isolation and while certain local issues related to infrastructure deserve attention, it is important for unions across the country to maintain a constant engagement with their own voters as well as students across campuses.”
Given the limited influence that student bodies have, how can students then engage actively with the administration?
“Of course, the electoral model has its limitations but students must seek accountability throughout the year and ensure that the union is not hand in gloves with the administration especially in an institution like DU which is an amalgamation of diverse political aspirations,” concludes Tewari.