High on self-publicity and littering

Come July and colleges in Delhi University brim with fresh and old batches of
students  among whom are also enthusiasts who aim to become forerunners in DU politics. With university agendas on their mind and a keen desire to become famous overnight, they get set for a ticket to contest Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections and then proceed to familiarise themselves with students.

What better way to do so than by sticking up posters.

In their excitement to become recognisable to the maximum possible, prospective candidates have moved beyond campuses and stuck posters all over the City. From the walls of flyovers to public toilets and even subways and bus stops - just about every exposed surface has been covered by posters screaming -  ‘Welcome Freshers’ or ‘Join ABVP’ or ‘Join NSUI’.

Stuck all over the place, these posters are an eyesoar and a perfect example of organised litter! Though few agree that it is incorrect to stick posters so rampantly, they are clueless about the damage done to City walls.

Between plans of demanding more hostels for DU students and making affordable accommodation available to them, Utkarsh Choudhary the ABVP candidate, seems more concerned about shortage of faculty than the ruined condition of the walls where his posters are stuck. “I have only stuck posters on the Wall of Democracy and inside college premises while the rest have been stuck by professionals,” says Utkarsh washing his hands off the matter and adds quickly, “We must keep Delhi neat and clean and therefore we have stopped sticking posters outside the campus now.” But what about the damage already done?

His arch rival Vishal Choudhary from NSUI also refuses any allegations of having stuck any poster beyond the dedicated Wall of Democracy at North Campus but his name is prominent on the posters put up at Moolchand flyover, though they were later covered up by his competitor! “One or two students have made this mistake (of putting up my posters) but otherwise we ensure that the Capital is not littered. Infact, I have only allowed handmade posters,” says Vishal.

Others are smarter. Take for instance Satender Awana who will contest for election next year for ABVP but his posters rule the walls from this year onwards! “I can paste printed posters since I am not contesting his year,” says the final year student of Bhagat Singh college. “It is not litter but just a matter of one month before the elections and then these will be removed,” he says without realising the gravity of the situation.

Under the Delhi Defacement Act, “If anyone is found sticking posters on public walls, a case is registered in the name of the concerned individual or organisation. The FIR could then lead to a monetary fine of upto 50,000,” informs Yogendra Singh Maan from MCD.
One wonders why isn’t there a case registered under against these candidates yet?