As the term of students’ unions at both Ranchi University (RUM) and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University (DSPMU) ended on July 31, the various students unions functional in these two universities are once again getting busy garnering support for the next election.
While the dates of next elections are yet not notified, with admissions in all the colleges being complete, all the unions are trying to rope in support from the fresh batch of students.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) which won the elections at both the universities in 2018 is busy informing students about the work done by them during the term. Deepesh Kumar, State office secretary of ABVP said, “We have done everything we promised in our manifesto inlcuding insurance for students, installation of sanitary pad vending machines and starting PG studies in colleges which did not have the option earlier like Birsa College in Khunti. Now we are reaching out to the students with these achievements so that they know that we would really work for their favour. “
“Membership drive is already ongoing. We have started putting up camps in colleges to get as many members as we can,” he said.
On Monday, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) also launched a special membership drive which will continue till August 23.
The union has also issued a whatsapp number 7070338687 on which anyone can send a message JOIN AJSU to become a member. Nitish Singh of AJSU said, "Students can also message on this number if they need any help or have any problems. We have also decided to reorganize all the units of the union at college level by August 30."
On the other hand Sushil Oraon of Adiwasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) informed that their union is focusing on tribal students. "Our aim is to make every tribal student a member of our union and we are starting a membership drive for the same on Wednesday. The preparations are ongoing in every college," he said.
In 2018, ACS walked out of the elections after alleging ABVP of forcing their candidates to vote for ABVP and also of abducting four candidates of ACS before the university elections.
“To ensure that nothing like that happens again we are spreading awareness among our members and students so that if they feel that they are being pressurized in any way they should raise their voices,” Oraon said.
While in 2018, DSPMU which came to being in 2017 witnessed its first students’ union election, RU witnessed its fourth election since its formation in 1960.
