Polls stir debate on saffronisation

ON a rain-soaked afternoon in Chandigarh, the Panjab University campus was recently lively with celebrations. Gaurav Veer Sohal, a 27-year-old law research scholar, wet from the rain, but happy, was holding a laddoo in his hand. All around him, supporters were shouting "zindabad" and pledging their allegiance to the ABVP. For the first time since 1977, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student wing of the RSS, had secured the presidency of the Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC). The result is significant as it is also an indication of the broader changes seen in student movements.

PU has historically taken pride in its intellectual independence and regional political identity. Ever since elections began in 1977, power has roughly alternated between local parties — the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) and the Congress-linked NSUI — with independents and others picking up a few seats. These groups would present themselves as the protectors of Punjab's pluralistic culture, pushing back against any national party affiliation even as the ABVP was making strides in other universities.

Whispers are making the rounds about the selling of votes and the involvement of authorities in this win. These claims are feeding a broader debate over saffronisation and strategic realignment in academic spaces.

Sohal (3,148 votes) defeated the Student Front's Sumit Sharma (2,660 votes), with the NSUI and ASAP following behind. The turnout had plummeted to 58.9 per cent from last year’s 66.6 per cent due to the heavy rain on polling day, among other factors. The ABVP had made tactical pacts with the INSO and the HSRA — rebels of the NSUI — to consolidate support in the larger departments of UILS and UIET.

Widespread cross-voting was reported. Rival groups had faced infighting — NSUI was beset by ticket disputes and ASAP could not move beyond its core group, which later supported the ABVP.

The outcome has been labelled as the saffronisation of PU, proof that Hindu nationalist forces are making a headway into Punjab's academic realms. ABVP leaders characterised it as a cultural watershed moment.

Most students we talked to said they voted on issues: promises to renovate hostels, revise transportation timetables and advocate against tuition fee raises. Students talked about undue influences. Some felt they were guided by teachers on voting. Science students raised the role of money, claiming that votes were valued at Rs 2,000-2,500.

The ABVP's organisational model is very disciplined. It trains its cadres in debate, canvassing and promotion. They have stronger ideological commitment and cadre strength than other student parties in PU. Last year's win of Jaswinder Rana as joint secretary formed the ABVP’s base this year. Though the party split this year, with the other faction named the ABVP Front, the fragmentation also catalysed the ABVP win. ABVP Front sympathisers voted for the ABVP presidential candidate as the Front was contesting only for the vice-president’s post; they had a strong sympathy for the RSS and the BJP.

Thus, to declare the victory purely as saffronisation would be an oversimplification; political alignments on the campus are more complex.

PU's political culture has always been contextual. Its student leaders often flow into Punjab politics, where the Congress, SAD, AAP and, now, the BJP vie for space. The BJP has devoted considerable attention to strengthening its presence in Punjab in recent years. A campus breakthrough by the ABVP gives the party's ideological ecosystem a toehold among the educated urban youth of the region.

Culturally, the victory signals a shift as well. It implies that younger voters are receptive to different narratives.

But will the ABVP presence in PU survive? History suggests student affiliations are fickle; the local organisations may reorganise and establish wider coalitions to offset the ABVP's organisational strength. An increase in student turnout too can change the dynamics.

But this single win has a symbolic weight. Only time will tell if this is a start to a transformation in ideologies or just a repositioning.

Tanvi Sharma is a research scholar in the Department of Political Science and Nobaljeet Singh is a 2nd-year Master's Student in the Department of Political Science, Panjab University.