PU polls heat up: Seerat, Mohit enter race amid protests over posters

The Student Organisation of India (SOI) on Monday announced Seerat from the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) as its presidential candidate, projecting her as a strong voice for women in student politics. The SOI leaders said her candidature signals the party’s commitment to gender equality and student welfare. “Seerat represents the change we want to see in campus leadership: inclusive, progressive and dedicated to student issues,” an SOI spokesperson said.

Adding to the excitement, Public Administration research scholar Mohit Manderna, known for leading protests against hostel restrictions, fee hikes, and police interference, also entered the fray. His supporters describe him as a fearless activist determined to ensure transparency and accountability in university governance. “This is not just about winning an election; it’s about reclaiming student rights and building a fair campus environment,” Mohit told reporters.

Hostel protest against campaign defacement

While campaigning picked up, students from Boys Hostel 1 staged a protest against what they called “irresponsible” defacement of hostel walls with posters and slogans. The hostellers warned that any party involved in such acts would “lose their votes.” “We want clean and responsible campaigning. This mindless defacement damages our campus and shows disregard for student concerns,” one protesting student said.

NSUI gets a boost with new entrants

In another significant development, student leaders Jashanpreet Singh Dabwali and Baljeet Singh Talwandi, along with their teams, joined the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in a formal induction attended by NSUI national president Varun Chaudhary and Chandigarh in-charge Dilip Chaudhary. The leaders said they aligned with NSUI because of its “commitment to student welfare, democracy, and nation-building.” Their entry is expected to energise the party ahead of the polls.

With strong contenders like Seerat and Mohit in the race, rising frustration among students over unchecked campaigning, and NSUI strengthening its ranks, the PUCSC 2025 elections are shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years,  a contest reflecting both the aspirations and challenges of PU’s student community.

The author is an intern with The Indian Express

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