The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has elected its first Dalit president from the Left-backed groups after nearly three decades. The United Left panel secured a decisive victory in the JNUSU elections, defeating its main rival, the RSS-affiliated ABVP.

In the elections held after a four-year hiatus, Dhananjay from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) emerged as the JNUSU president, securing 2,598 votes against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) Umesh C Ajmeera, who garnered 1,676 votes.

Hailing from Gaya, Bihar, Dhananjay is the first Dalit president from the Left since Batti Lal Bairwa’s election in 1996-97.

Dhananjay expressed gratitude to the students of JNU for rejecting divisive politics and reaffirming their trust in the Left. He emphasized priorities such as women’s safety, fund allocation, scholarship enhancements, and addressing infrastructural challenges.

Supporters celebrated the victory with chants of ‘Lal Salaam’ and ‘Jai Bhim’, waving flags in red, white, and blue.

Avijit Ghosh from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) won the vice-president’s post, defeating ABVP’s Deepika Sharma by 927 votes. Priyanshi Arya, backed by BAPSA and the Left, secured the general secretary’s position by defeating ABVP’s Arjun Anand by 926 votes. Mohammad Sajid of the Left won the joint secretary’s post by the narrowest margin.

The Left panel, consisting of AISA, DSF, SFI, and AISF, emerged victorious across all key positions, maintaining JNU’s reputation as a Left bastion. The election witnessed a 73% voter turnout, the highest in 12 years.

Source: PTI

Also read: JNU Debate: Student groups clash on Manipur violence, CAA, electoral bonds