Despite leading institutions, students feel voiceless due to lack of dist-level union

Ludhiana, one of the largest districts in the state, is home to a number of leading educational institutions, including SCD Government College, Government College for Girls, beside several private institutions, but according to most students what is missing is a strong student union to redress their issues.

Talking to The Tribune on the matter, a student at SCD Government College, Sanjay, said students felt many of their issues were not redressed properly due to the lack of a union either at the college or district level. “Had there been a strong platform, many of these issues could be resolved in a better and quick manner,” he added.

A student at GCG said the matter of the alleged grabbing of the college’s land for parking was taken up at the state level and students intervened and got respite. “But we need to have a united forum of students at the district level also so that we can gather to raise such matters with the authorities concerned ourselves,” said the student.

At the same time, the president of the Students Union, Punjab, Ranvir Singh, said the union was strong in about 15-16 districts, including Mansa, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Fazilka, Moga, Muktsar etc but not in Ludhiana and for that there were several reasons. “The main reason is a lack of will among students. None wants to take any responsibility as many students are working also. Second is the migrant population of students in Ludhiana, it is very difficult to convince them. Thirdly, the mind set of parents towards their daughters needs to be changed. If daughters come out in a bold manner, they are asked by the parents to not go against the institution etc. So, unless these issues are resolved, a union cannot be formed,” said the president.

There have been issues involved with the visually impaired students, who wish to get audios to memorise chapters but since college principals never raised the issues with higher-ups, this remains unresolved. “Had there been a union, we could have taken up the matter and something could have been done for us,” said a blind student.

When the ground of GCG was allegedly being taken over for parking, the state-level student’s union protested the move but many students feel that a district-level union needs to be formed so that they may seek redress of issues.