Panjab University Students’ Council polls: The final countdown

An active sportsperson, Gaurav Veer Sohal, a research scholar at the Department of Laws, says he identifies with the struggles university players face, as he has endured those too. A priority of Sohal, if elected to the post of president, is reclaiming PU’s lost sporting glory. On his priority list as presidential candidate of ABVP for PUCSC is the needs of athletes, like maintenance and upgradation of sports grounds and equipment, enhanced budget allocation for sports activities, and support for national and international level players. Another priority, says Sohal, was to build an academically enriched Panjab University, hold a placement where students can get on-the-spot placement opportunities.

Health is wealth

Mankirat Singh Mann, ASAP

Mankirat Singh Mann, the presidential candidate of The Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), the student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party, belongs to Malout in Punjab, and brings with him strong academic credentials. He envisions a transparent and accountable student leadership and a commitment to address the basic issues faced by the student community. If elected, he says he aligns with the party’s ‘Badlaav Ka Roadmap’ for Panjab University. A 24×7 PU Health Centre with permanent doctors and ambulance services, a synthetic track for athletes, enhancing sports infrastructure on campus, a unified student ID portal for seamless access to services and records, and strengthened alumni networking to boost internships and placements are top on the list. Mann highlights that initiatives like Mini Stu-C on South Campus and the immediate installation of new dental chairs at BDS are urgent requirements for students’ academic and daily lives.

Research facilities need upgradation

Seerat, Students’ Organisation of India

The Students’ Organisation of India (SOI) for the first time has chosen a woman candidate for the post. Born and brought up in Chandigarh, the third-year student at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Seerat says despite such a high percentage of women students at PU, the representation in active politics is less, though they support women candidates, yet not many come to the forefront. On her priority list is promoting the research culture and facilities at PU, a central cell that addresses harassment against women, reservation of at least one seat for women in the elections, updated software and books for academics, and maintenance and upgradation of infrastructure. “I will press for better security and safety of women, more cameras and guards and better maintenance of infrastructure,” adds Seerat.

Security is safety

Sumit Sharma, Student Front & Himachal Students’ Union (HIMSU)

Sumit Sharma, Department of Geography, says he is contesting for the post of president not to win, but to change things. He assures that if students vote for him, he will fight against the fee hikes, and the cancellation of the controversial affidavit that denies students’ rights to protest. Describing himself as a voice of students, with a vision for progress, Sharma says “change begins with us”. He also said that his top priority would be dealing with basic issues of students, ignored for long, including the lack of security on campus and if he comes to power, he will take all required steps to ensure that security for students is never put on the backburner.

Will fight autocratic authority

Parabjot Singh Gill, National Students’ Union of India

A third-year law student and department representative from the Faculty of Law, Gill says his strength is the support of students, and as the presidential candidate for the National Students’ Union of India will work for the change that students deserve. His vision is for an affordable education, equal opportunities, and a safe and vibrant campus. Gill says he has a strong connection with the student community, and that is his strength. If elected, Gill says he will fight autocratic authority, fee hikes, strengthen student representation, and safeguard democracy. This time, Gill says he will lay special emphasis on ensuring safety of women students on campus, citing the example of the security lapses during Masoom Sharma show. If elected, this will never be repeated. Gill added that each student will be given a voice.

Security for women is priority

Navneet Kaur, The Ambedkar Students Forum

A first-year student at the University Institute of Legal Studies, Navneet Kaur, presidential candidate of The Ambedkar Students Forum, says she represents all women on campus, and if elected, she will strive to work towards improving facilities for women in hostels. Water leakage, says Navneet, who is from Punjab, is a persistent issue in hostels and overall repairs are needed. Navneet says it is very important for women to be in positions of power, for only then is change possible, and to make women feel more safe and secure on campus, they will demand more security arrangements on campus.

Hostels need attention

Ardaas Kaur, SOPU

Ardaas Kaur, a student of the Fashion Department, is the presidential candidate for The Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU). If elected, says Ardaas, who is from Chandigarh, she will work for the welfare and betterment of the students and address the grievances of women in hostels that lack basic amenities. Despite more than 60 per cent of women students at PU, women, adds Ardaas, don’t come forward in politics, as they don’t get a chance and she strives to bring more women to the forefront and raise their voice for their rights and demands.

Reduce rising fees

Jobanpreet, Punjab Students Union (Lalkaar)

Jobanpreet from the Philosophy Department, PU, is the presidential candidate for The Punjab Students Union (Lalkaar). Jobanpreet says if elected, he will oppose politics driven by money, power and influence and build a student movement to preserve the university as a public institution. If elected, Jobanpreet says he will oppose fee hikes, denial of hostel rights, increasing mess/canteen rates, and curtailing students’ freedom of speech through measures such as increased police presence on campus and mandatory affidavits. Violence on campus, attack on students’ freedom of speech, dissolution of the senate, FIRs against protesting students, and affidavits aimed directly at curbing students’ rights to protest or voice dissent are his immediate concerns. “The aim is not to secure votes, but a tool to reclaim the democratic space, reduce rising fees, fulfil the infrastructural needs and dismantle muscle-powered organsations. Our goal is to build a broad student movement that can transform not just the university but society,” says Jobanpreet, who belongs to Punjab.