The tragic building collapse in Satya Niketan, South Delhi, which resulted in the deaths of five students, is set to dominate the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections on September 18. Student organization representatives indicated on Friday that the incident will be a focal point in the campaigning strategies of rival groups as they seek to address safety and accountability issues in the wake of this disaster.
The organisations will demand steps to address the varsity’s chronic shortage of accommodation for students, as well as concerns over the safety of students and affordability of hostel rooms , these representatives said on a day they announced their candidates for the DUSU elections. AISA-SFI has announced a joint panel for the DUSU elections, fielding Ananya Raturi (AISA) for President, Akshat Shikhar (AISA) for Vice-President, Stanzin Deskyong (SFI) for Secretary, and B. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the left alliance of All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) will contest four DUSU posts in the election. Parijaat (SFI) for Joint Secretary.
“This year’s DUSU elections are taking place against an unusual backdrop, marked by a series of major student-led movements and developments. These include the Cockroach Janta Party movement, which led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as well as the Satya Niketan tragedy, which claimed the lives of seven students. “Our demands since the Satya Niketan incident have been clear– ₹ 1 crore compensation to the families of the victims by the government, and on-campus accommodation for the majority of students who come to DU from other states. Our key manifesto points include the rollback of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, improved campus infrastructure, and safer campuses for women.
NSUI national media incharge, Ravi Pandey, said his party will put pressure on the government and university to ensure compensation to the families of the victims of Satya Niketan, and adequate hostels for students. These demands will be strongly reflected in our manifesto,” said Pandey. However, we are placing greater emphasis on ensuring accessible hostel accommodation for all students, conducting structural safety audits in student hubs such as Kamla Nagar and Malkaganj, and introducing a rent-control law for these areas,” said DU AISA secretary Anjali.
NSUI will continue to fight for justice and ensure that the voices of affected students and families are not ignored.”
Rival NSUI, aligned with the opposition Congress, said their manifesto will “present a comprehensive vision for Delhi University – from affordable accommodation and better infrastructure to student safety, and academic opportunities. In a statement, NSUI’s national president Vinod Jhakar said, “The Satya Niketan tragedy has once again raised serious questions about student safety and institutional accountability.
