No student body poll under shadow of violence: Himachal minister

Education Minister Rohit Thakur today ruled out the possibility of restoring student elections in universities and colleges “under the shadow of violence”. He, however, admitted that student politics was a nursery for building a strong democracy.

Sullah MLA Vipin Parmar demanded the restoration of student elections by way of a Private Member resolution under Rule 101 in the Vidhan Sabha. “More than 80 per cent politicians were born out of student politics. Universities are not only academic institutions but also a place for building leadership,” he said while demanding the resumption of student body elections.

The Education Minister said, “There is need for examining the issue at length as elections cannot be held under the shadow of violence. Unless poll-related violence ends, it will not be possible to hold student body elections.” He admitted that student politics had given some of the tallest leaders and said that in the past few years when elections were held, there had been several incidents of violence. “It is necessary to give students an understanding of politics but certainly not by way of poll-related violence,” he added.

Town and Country Panning Minister Rajesh Dharmani supported Parmar’s resolution and advocated for holding student body elections but only when there was no violence. “During my student time, three murders had taken place on the campus, in which students belonging to both NSUI and ABVP were killed. When students become enemies of each other, what is the justification of holding elections?” he added.

MLAs Hans Raj (Churah), Vinod Kumar (Nachan), Rakesh Jamwal (Sundernagar) and Suresh Kumar (Bhoranj) supported the holding of student elections provided there was no violence. Shimla MLA Harish Janartha, however, opposed the resolution.

Dharmani backs Parmar’s resolution

• Sullah MLA Vipin Parmar demanded the restoration of student elections by way of a Private Member resolution
• Town and Country Panning Minister Rajesh Dharmani supported Parmar’s resolution and advocated for holding student body elections if there was no violence