AISF joins DU student poll race, to contest from 3 seats

The All India Students’ Federation (AISF), the country’s oldest student organisation, has thrown its hat into the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, contesting from three seats. AISF’s entry comes despite the cancellation of their vice-president candidate’s nomination, which the group has described as discriminatory.

Robust agendas

• AISF has aggressively campaigned, releasing a manifesto focused on reducing fees and improving infrastructure and student welfare.
• Key elements of their platform include reducing course and hostel fees, expanding fee waivers, and providing financial assistance to students living in rented accommodation. They have also called for reforms in class timings and attendance policies to ensure flexibility for students.
• Key elements of their platform include reducing course and hostel fees, expanding fee waivers, and providing financial assistance to students living in rented accommodation. They have also called for reforms in class timings and attendance policies to ensure flexibility for students.

AISF’s presidential candidate, Aniket Madke, hails from Madhya Pradesh and represents the Dalit community. He is a student at the Law Faculty 2 of Delhi University (DU). For the post of secretary, Adithyan, an OBC candidate from Kerala and a student of Motilal Nehru College, has been nominated. Anjana, another OBC candidate from Kerala and a student from Law Faculty 2, is running for the position of joint secretary.

AISF’s vice-president candidate, Mohamed Ahmed, was disqualified due to what the student body described as discriminatory practices. The group alleges that their candidate, Md. Akram, a student from Shivaji College, was disqualified because of a missing principal’s signature on his nomination form. They claim that other candidates with similar errors were allowed to continue. In a statement, the AISF said, “Comrade Akram was informed that they would verify with the principal, but that favour was extended to candidates backed by money and muscle power, not to us.”

Despite this setback, AISF has aggressively campaigned, releasing a manifesto focused on reducing fees and improving infrastructure and student welfare. Key elements of their platform include reducing course and hostel fees, expanding fee waivers, and providing financial assistance to students living in rented accommodation. They have also called for reforms in class timings and attendance policies to ensure flexibility for students.

“We are committed to ensuring that at least 60 per cent of students will have access to hostel accommodations. For those living in PGs or rented apartments, we will provide financial assistance,” the manifesto reads.

The student body also promises to improve campus infrastructure, including air-conditioning in classrooms, 24x7 access to libraries, and better lab facilities without fee hikes. They’ve outlined plans to enhance campus amenities such as nutritious, affordable canteens and clean washrooms. Additionally, they aim to establish canteens that provide nutritious food at affordable rates in every campus.

On the academic front, the group plans to streamline exam schedules to reduce stress and ensure internships and placements, particularly for arts students. They propose forming a think-tank under DUSU and organising a “Placement Consortium” to increase employment opportunities for students.

The manifesto also outlines a robust agenda for marginalised communities, including the establishment of a North-East Students’ Protection and Welfare Committee and measures to support LGBTQIA+ students. “Discrimination, hate crimes, and financial barriers against North-East students will not be tolerated. We will provide comprehensive legal, social, and financial assistance,” the manifesto states.