DUSU elections are launchpads into mainstream, national politics which is why these elections see a proliferation of money and muscle power around the campus. All the major student parties have released their manifestos, and the issues taken up by them seem to revolve not only around the promises for the coming year, but also on the bitter rivalry between the groups who allege each other of misconduct.

The common issues found in all the party manifestoes are that of accommodation, gender sensitisation, affordable fee structure, secure and fear-free campus, bus and metro passes, and availability of scholarships. Most of the issues raised by the student wings have remained constant over the years; yet, there has been continuous credit mongering and deflection of responsibility of failures.

NSUI, AISA, and SFI are collectively attacking the ABVP for violence on the campus. The NSUI manifesto says that it would “track incidents of rioting and violent protests to ensure perpetrators are held to account”. All the above-mentioned student wings have blamed ABVP for the proliferation of hooliganism. Saket Bahuguna, ABVP National Media Convener, said the allegations are baseless and that these parties are solely dependent on the negative publicity of ABVP.

The most common example of hooliganism by ABVP members given by the opposition is the Ramjas case. However, the ABVP spokesperson termed it an “event of national importance” advocating action against students and teachers “who raised anti-national slogans” although the video hasn’t been verified by the police. Kanwar Singh, the NSUI spokesperson, says, “We do not stand by violence and hooliganism perpetrated in the name of nationalism.” On the other hand, Kawalpreet Kaur, who heads DU’s AISA unit, said ABVP’s definition of anti-nationalism is whimsical and is slapped on anyone who criticises them. They have been running a campaign against the “reign of terror unleashed by ABVP” as “more than 20 seminars and educational events were disrupted by ABVP members” and attacks on students and teachers in the whole year.

ABVP members have been repeatedly accused of instigating violence against women in the campus. Saket Bahuguna denied these charges and said the allegations are not backed by facts. They are being levelled against ABVP because other parties “cannot beat ABVP in a democratic competition”.  In their manifesto, they have included the demand to make the internal complaint committee for sexual harassment more effective, increase student representation in ICC, organise self-defence camps for women and an increase in police patrolling in the campus. On the other hand, NSUI is campaigning for strict action against harassment, police patrolling in the campus, women constables in colleges, sanitary pad vending machine, and CCTV cameras for security. AISA manifesto also advocates proper functioning of ICC and establishment of gender sensitisation cells.

These student wings have been accusing each other of misogyny. NSUI and AISA members say ABVP has a strong hold on the college administrations and muscle power, and due to the political pressure, the cases of sexual harassment are never brought forth due to the nexus between political pressure, police and administration. NSUI alleges ABVP students are responsible for moral policing of women students in the campus. At the same time, ABVP spokesperson alleges that AISA members have a history of sexual harassment cases which have been proven against their members and “almost every year a person from AISA is found guilty”. All the groups promise to set up gender sensitisation cells in the campus and the gender-oriented movements have not been spared ideological colour.

The PinjraTod campaign, which raises issues women’s issues related to hostels, campus harassment, etc., has been labelled as a small group of “anti-women” AISA activists. Kawalpreet Kaur says, “ABVP’s opposition to such movements shows their politics with regard to women. They do not want women to come out, have a voice, and challenge patriarchy in the campus.”

On the issue of violence and limited representation in election campaigns for women students which keeps most women’s colleges out of the electoral process, Saket Bahuguna says, “This is a very cynical attitude. We would request more and more women to come, join our organisation and be a part of politics. And we have been producing women leaders like Nupur Sharma, Monika Arora, Anjali Rana, etc.” Akshey Laakhra, NSUI President Delhi state, admitted women are driven out of the electoral process because of the threatening environment in the campus due to the presence of “extremist student organisations like ABVP and AISA”.

A former ABVP member, who had contested DUSU elections, comments on the election campaigns saying aggression “is an easy way of seeking of seeking attention, and members across party lines think it is a cool way to spread one’s influence”. Kawalpreet Kaur says AISA does not participate or believe in this kind of politics rooted in muscle and money power. She adds, “We are reaching out to students and we have been getting good responses. We are quite hopeful this election.”