Teachers’ body condemns proposal for indirect student union elections

The Indian National Teachers’ Congress (INTEC) has opposed the University of Delhi’s (DU) proposal to revise the election format for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). At a meeting on January 17, the DU Executive Council (EC) proposed replacing the current direct election system with a two-tier model.

This proposal, which draws from a Delhi High Court judgment and the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, suggests elections for college, department and centre representatives take place first. These representatives would then vote to select the DUSU office bearers in a second-tier election. The proposal was reiterated during another executive council meeting held on Thursday.

INTEC, led by the chairman, Prof Pankaj Garg, condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to undermine student democracy. Aman Kumar, a member of INTEC’s Executive Council, criticised the change, stating, “This is a direct assault on student democracy. The move will shift power to a select few and make elections more susceptible to backroom deals, political bargaining and vote trading.”

INTEC argued the current direct election system enables students to actively participate in the democratic process, hold leaders accountable and ensure transparency. Kumar added, “The proposed indirect system will reduce student participation and replace a transparent process with one prone to manipulation.”

The DU administration has defended the change, citing concerns over campus defacement and the influence of money in elections. However, INTEC has rejected this justification, arguing efforts to combat defacement should involve stricter disciplinary actions rather than weakening democratic structures. Prof Garg said, “Instead of weakening democratic institutions, the university should focus on strengthening them by ensuring fair and transparent elections.”

INTEC has called on students, teachers and other democratic forces within the university to resist the proposal and demand the continuation of direct elections. Prof Garg concluded, “The University of Delhi must remain a space where democracy thrives, not one where it is eroded in the name of convenience.”