More than 5,000 students participated in the 2.5-km ‘Run for Viksit Bharat’ Wednesday organised by the Delhi University to encourage students to vote for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The event took place despite opposition from certain sections of teachers at the varsity and the Congress party that stated that the event is in violation of the Model Code of Conduct which is in force ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections. They alleged that the event is part of BJP’s propaganda politics. ‘Viksit Bharat’ programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year with an objective to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of nation’s Independence. The run kicked off at 7 am from Gate No. 1 of the university, passed through Gate No. 4 and ended in the sports complex of the university. Assistant Professor Maya John with the Jesus and Mary College said the Viksit Bharat programmes being organised across universities highlights the misuse of educational institutions by the ruling party for its political propaganda. “The run was planned by DU in collaboration with Viksit Bharat Ambassador Club, a body about which nothing is known, except that it propped up overnight to propagate BJP’s vision. The university registrar sent a letter dated April 30, 2024, to all the faculties, departments, colleges and institutions seeking assistance in securing 100 registrations for the event,” she alleged. It has also been reported that BJP leader Kuljeet Chahal, who is also a member of New Delhi Municipal Council, was present in the May 2 meeting convened by the Delhi University administration organised to chalk out preparations for the programme. Chahal is the national convenor of Namo App, which is a personal app of the Prime Minister used to share his activities, John added. The Congress party in Delhi on Tuesday wrote to the Election Commission of India stating that the Model Code of Conduct notification clearly states in the ‘Don’t category’ that “No official work should be mixed with campaigning It pointed out that the Viksit Bharat’ run falls in the ‘Don’t category’. “Therefore, we urge you to prevail upon Delhi University to cancel this scheduled run forthwith, as it was a political event to give unfair advantage to the BJP,” the Delhi Congress stated in the letter, adding that a few colleges have prepared posters related to Viksit Bharat. Meanwhile, badminton player Saina Nehwal and actor and alumnus of DU's ARSD College Rajkumar Rao were the special guests of the event. During the ‘Run for Viksit Bharat’ event, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh urged the participants to take part in the voting process to strengthen democracy. “We all want Bharat to move forward and become better. We all should have our own contribution in that… Many good things will happen in the country in the next 25 years,” he said.
