NSUI to Gherao CM House in Raipur Demanding Student Union Polls

NSUI gears up for CM House protest as student union elections emerge as political flashpoint in Chhattisgarh

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) is set to lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence here this afternoon at 4 PM, pressing for the immediate restoration of student union elections in universities and colleges across Chhattisgarh. The protest comes amid growing demands from student outfits to revive a democratic process that has remained suspended for years.

Senior leaders from both Congress and BJP camps have voiced support for holding the polls, even as they traded charges over the prolonged delay.

Cross-party consensus with political barbs

Conversations with established politicians and young faces in Raipur’s political scene reveal broad agreement on the need for student elections, though accompanied by sharp finger-pointing.

Congress veteran and former Raipur mayor Pramod Dubey described student union polls as the “primary school of leadership.” He emphasised that campus elections nurture administrative skills, organisational abilities, and democratic values among the youth. Many prominent state and national leaders, he noted, began their journey through student politics.

Dubey acknowledged that preparations were underway during the previous Congress regime under Bhupesh Baghel but were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The situation did not permit it then,” he said.

BJP leaders push for regular polls

BJP leader and active municipal figure Mrityunjay Dubey strongly backed the conduct of elections as a healthy democratic tradition. He highlighted that elected student representatives are best placed to take up issues related to admissions, examinations, results, and academic facilities with the administration.

“When an 18-year-old can vote to elect panch, sarpanch, councillor, MLA, MP, CM, and even the Prime Minister, why should he or she be denied the right to choose representatives in their own college?” Dubey asked.

He, however, questioned the timing of NSUI’s aggressive push, asking why the issue was not pursued seriously during Congress rule.Youth leaders spar over intent and timing,

Prakhar Mishra, former president of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University (PTRSU) student union and ex-state minister of BJYM, affirmed his organisation’s consistent support for student polls. He argued that such elections provide opportunities to youth from poor and middle-class families, improve the education environment, and produce grounded leadership.

Yet Mishra accused NSUI of political opportunism. “ABVP has traditionally dominated these elections and NSUI has not tasted much success. Now raising the demand looks like a political stunt,” he remarked.

NSUI’s Raipur district president Shantanu Jha countered by citing the pandemic. “From 2019 to 2022 the country was battling COVID. Health was the priority and elections were put on hold. As soon as normalcy returned, we began pushing for them,” he said.

Jha claimed that had Congress returned to power, the polls would have been conducted. He challenged other parties: “If it did not happen then, let it happen now. We extend our full support.”

Background of the demand

Student union elections in Chhattisgarh have been stalled since the Baghel government’s tenure, largely due to the pandemic and subsequent administrative delays. NSUI has intensified its campaign in recent weeks, submitting memorandums in over 250 colleges and staging protests at PTRSU and other campuses.

On Tuesday, NSUI workers led by PTRSU unit president Puneshwar Lahre submitted a memorandum to the registrar, proctor, and DSW of the university, warning of stronger agitation if demands are not met.

The issue resonates strongly with students who argue that elected bodies can better address day-to-day academic grievances compared to nominated representatives.

What lies ahead

With both major parties’ representatives endorsing the principle of student elections, the focus now shifts to the state government’s response to today’s gherao. Political observers say the protest could set the tone for how quickly the administration moves on the long-pending demand.

As evening approaches, NSUI activists are expected to gather in significant numbers, turning the spotlight once again on campus democracy in Chhattisgarh. Whether today’s demonstration yields concrete assurances or leads to further escalation remains to be seen.