Karnataka: Student elections likely to return to campuses

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah 

Credit: DH Photo

Bengaluru: 'Netagiri' is likely to return to universities and higher education institutions across the state, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaking in favour of reintroducing student elections.

The ruling Congress sources said the chief minister is considering the proposal submitted by the National Student Union Congress (NSUI) to reintroduce student elections on campuses positively following instructions from top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

In his recent interaction with the media about the issue, Siddaramaiah said, "Why not the elections be reintroduced at colleges and universities campuses?"

Responding to the issue, Congress MLC Puttanna, who was active in the campus elections during his college days, said, "I support the reintroduction of campus elections. Though we cannot avoid political influence, the elections must uphold the quality. "

"We all entered politics through the student elections during our college days. This includes Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. There are leaders even in other parties, too, who were part of student unions. My only request is that those who are involved in such elections should not be commercialised," he said. 

The party sources also said the proposal was directly submitted to Rahul Gandhi by NSUI, stating that campus elections would help develop leadership qualities among students.

The issue has been discussed on several occasions, with senior leaders, like Home Minister G Parameshwara, supporting the reintroduction of the campus polls.

Karnataka banned the campus elections in 1989-90 after several incidents of violence were reported in some universities during the polls.

Varsities wary

However, university authorities are concerned about the latest development regarding the reintroduction of the elections.

"Campuses are currently focused on academic activities and remain peaceful. Reintroducing the elections could turn them into platforms for political party vote banks and trigger violence and groupism among students," said a vice chancellor of a state-run university.

A few states, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Delhi, continue the practice of holding student elections. The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) polls are the most publicised among them.

Quote -

"Rahul Gandhi has directed us to develop leadership qualities among youngsters; hence, we are planning for the reintroduction of campus elections."

- D K Shivakumar, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister