Digital platforms emerge parallel arena in student politics at DU

For as long as rules have existed, so too have means to bend them. This is evident in the high-profile Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, where candidates often devise innovative ways to circumvent the regulations governing these polls.

DUSU elections are conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, set up by the Supreme Court in 2005 to curb unrest caused by campus union elections. The committee also introduced an age limit for candidates to prevent students from repeatedly enrolling in courses merely to contest polls.

These rules strictly cap campaign spending, prohibit printed posters, and encourage personal, face-to-face engagement with students, in place of extravagant rallies and reckless expenditure to influence voters.

On the ground, however, candidates continue to identify and exploit gaps in these rules. For instance, the guidelines stipulate that a candidate may campaign with only four bona fide students at a time. In practice, the reality is very different.

“Everyone knows the rules, but what really matters is how you work around them. Digital campaigns and creative activities are already shaping opinion on campus,” says Saurabh Kumar, a third-year student at Kirori Mal College.

With the advent of social media, candidates find it easy to bypass the restrictions.

“The rules don’t cover modern-day social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, or Telegram. As a result, candidates use these platforms freely, canvassing with thousands of students without even entering the campus,” explains Prakhar Gupta, a law faculty student.

“Sometimes my feed is flooded with reels from candidates. It feels like a parallel election is happening online,” adds Priya Mehta of Miranda House.

Some student organisations, however, claim they are abiding by the norms.

Rahul Jhansla, a member of the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), insists the party is respecting the code of conduct.

“This time, NSUI is contesting the DUSU polls fully in line with court orders and Lyngdoh guidelines. All our campaign material is handmade, and we are reaching out to students peacefully, engaging one-on-one to share our message. We want every candidate to cooperate in ensuring a student-centric DUSU election, free of money or muscle power,” he says.

Another widespread practice is linked to election speeches. Principals and heads of departments decide when candidates can address students, and those with stronger political connections often secure prime-time slots such as lunch breaks. Others are left with timings when student attendance is sparse, said a former Independent DUSU candidate.

Students also highlight instances of “indirect campaigning.” “Cultural festivals, blood donation camps, even cleanliness drives are often used for subtle promotion,” remarks Ankit Raj, a final-year student of Hindu College.

University officials, however, maintain that students have been acting responsibly.

“So far, there has been no defacement of property or violation of the code of conduct. I truly appreciate their commitment to conducting a green and clean election,” said Raj Kishor Sharma, Chief Election Officer of Delhi University.

Not all universities follow Lyngdoh Committee recommendations regarding student body and student union polls. While the University Grants Commission (UGC) regularly encourages Vice-Chancellors to implement the recommendations, and some universities like DU have adopted them, others like JNU follow their own election model.