Now Reading: ABVP protests Rajasthan student poll ban, challenging BJP government
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ABVP protests Rajasthan student poll ban, challenging BJP government
The ABVP is protesting across Rajasthan against the continued suspension of student union elections, putting the BJP government led by Bhajan Lal Sharma in an awkward position, National Herald India reports. The…
The Story in Brief
The ABVP is protesting across Rajasthan against the continued suspension of student union elections, putting the BJP government led by Bhajan Lal Sharma in an awkward position, National Herald India reports. The elections were halted in 2023 during the Assembly poll Model Code of Conduct and have not resumed. The Congress and its student wing NSUI have also demanded elections. NSUI leader Shubham Revar ended a 15-day hunger strike after his health worsened, while police arrested 35 ABVP protesters at Rajasthan University. Clashes were also reported at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur.
The dispute follows a separate confrontation with the Karni Sena over 2026 UGC regulations on equity committees. The group alleges police used lathis and water cannons during its march, causing the death of Rajput agitator Devraj Singh Palara. It has demanded Rs 1 crore compensation and said it will not support the BJP. Supporters of a ban cite campus violence, money power and disruption of studies, while the Lyngdoh Committee proposed limits to control these problems.
The Indian Opinion
The easy claim that this is merely opposition politics misses the uncomfortable fact that the ABVP is also demanding elections. The opposite claim, that campus polls are automatically democratic, ignores the violence and money concerns cited by vice-chancellors. The government should publish a clear timetable, eligibility rules and safeguards before restoring voting. The first test will be whether elections can be held without clashes, unlawful spending or academic disruption.
Source: nationalheraldindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
