DUSU polls: Students want solutions, not just promises

Lawns outside Delhi University’s Arts Faculty are buzzing on a humid September afternoon. Groups of students sit under trees, sipping tea and exchanging notes. But the chatter isn’t about fests or classes — it’s about survival in Delhi.

Expensive paying guest (PG) accommodations, soaring college fee, long commutes, unsafe streets and a range of other overwhelming daily struggles of students are dominating the conversations around the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

For many day boarders, reaching daily classes comes at a cost and exercises a financial strain. Calculating her monthly commute, Priya Sharma, a third-year student from North Campus, said: “I spend more than Rs 3,000 a month just on Metro and bus passes. This is not fair. A 50 per cent concession is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.”

Her friend Anjali Verma from Hindu College adds, “For students like us who travel every day from far-off places, this demand is about access to education, not just comfort.”

Those who make it to campus are hit by another worry — fee. Rahul Yadav of Ramjas College said: “Every year, fee is raised without considering students’ financial conditions. If two students are studying the same course, why should one pay double just because of the name of the college? There should be one course, one fee across DU colleges.”

The idea of “one course, one fee” has quickly gained ground, with many saying it reflects the need for fairness in a university where fee gaps between colleges often run into thousands.

Accommodation is no less of a headache. With limited hostel seats, most outstation students are pushed into private PGs, which are both expensive and unsafe. “More hostels, especially for women, should be the first priority,” says Archit Dwivedi, a student at Hansraj College.

“PGs charge double the money and give half the facilities. If DU calls itself a premier university, it must provide proper housing,” Archit said.

As the sun sets, safety becomes the biggest concern, especially for women. Simran Kaur of Daulat Ram College says she avoids walking on certain routes after dark. “Many streets are poorly lit and CCTV cameras don’t work. After 7 pm, North Campus doesn’t feel safe for us.”

Students say situation isn’t much better inside classrooms and libraries. Wi-Fi signals keep dropping, canteen food gets complaints and libraries are so overcrowded that students often wait for hours for a seat. “Reading halls are always packed, and Wi-Fi barely works. DU should invest in improving academic infrastructure, not just election posters,” says Rohit Singh of Ramjas College, pointing at the campaign hoardings plastered across walls.

Amid all posters and sloganeering, many students say they are tired of the political drama. Kartik Meena from Kirori Mal College puts it simply: “Elections should be about student issues, not party politics. Fee hike, transport, hostels — these affect us daily.”

The frustration is shared by many across the campus. Sitting outside Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) canteen, Nisha Rawat says, “We are told DU is a top-ranked public university. But basic things like affordable food, hostels and women’s security are still missing. Our vote will go to those who listen to us, not those who just shout slogans.”

As campaigning heats up, one thing is clear, students this year want solutions, not promises. Affordable education, safe and reasonable housing, reliable transport and better facilities are the real issues at stake in what remains the country’s most closely watched student election.