In keeping with tradition, the triumphant leaders of the BJP-backed Akhil Bharatiya Virdyarthi Parishad climbed on to the landmark Swami Vivekananda statue in North Campus and waved saffron flags.
The ABVP swept the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, whose results were declared on Saturday.
But the celebratory moment turned chaotic after party supporters jostled with one another to claim a spot for the cameras. The newly elected DUSU office bearers faced the fear of falling from the pedestal. Police had to pull back some supporters after it resulted in some sort of commotion.
When the results were announced, all the four winning candidates of ABVP marched toward the campus. Drum-beaters, SUVs and supporters followed them.
“In the past one year, we have strengthened student activism in DU. And now, we are going to put forth our demands even more emphatically,” the new DUSU president Mohit Nagar said.
The winning candidates were showered with rose and marigold garlands. Their supporters danced to the beat of drums and took out a march to celebrate the victory amid tight security by Delhi Police.
Standing atop the base of the Swami Vivekananda statue in North Campus, the ABVP leaders thanked students for giving them a clear mandate. And as they spoke, small pamphlets – the remnants of the elections – went flying all over.
“I am going to work toward making the university campus safe for women,” Kanika Shekhawat, who won the secretary’s post, said.
After making a clean sweep in the DUSU elections, all the newly elected office bearers headed to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s office.
BJP leaders congratulated the RSS-affiliated student wing for their victory.
The Congress student wing NSUI trailed second in all the four posts, followed by the Leftist All India Students’ Association.