The Uttarakhand High Court recently upheld the state government’s decision to cancel student union elections in government universities and colleges for this year. In response to a public interest litigation (PIL), the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Vivek Bharti Sharma resolved the case based on a government order that guided the decision.
The PIL, filed by social activist Mahipal Singh from Dehradun, argued that the government had issued an academic calendar on April 23, 2024, mandating student union elections by September 30. Singh alleged that university administrations failed to adhere to this directive and neglected to obtain necessary instructions from the authorities, violating Lingdoh Committee recommendations. According to Singh, the delay in elections adversely impacted students’ education.
Protest from Coordination Committee
The state’s move to cancel elections has drawn criticism from the Nativist Rights and Land Law Coordination Committee. Committee Co-convener Lushun Todaria claimed the state government is trying to suppress students’ voices. According to Todaria, the ruling BJP government wants to prevent discussions on crucial issues like land laws and domicile rights from surfacing in colleges and universities.
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The committee argued that student union elections are a democratic right, providing students a platform to choose representatives and deliberate on significant social issues. The group announced plans for a large-scale youth convention to bring attention to these matters.
The committee urged all youth organizations and students to unite against the government’s decision and to demand the reinstatement of student union elections in the state.
