Student outfits oppose DU’s ‘parents ₹1 lakh surety’ rule

Student organisations in Delhi University (DU) on Wednesday said that they will move court challenging the new rule that mandates parents or guardians of the candidates vying for the upcoming DU Students’ Union (DUSU) polls to sign the ₹1 lakh surety bond. Students claimed it to be a threat to their “autonomy”, something thatmight even prohibit some of them from contesting.

“We have circulated the new affidavit where students will have to get the surety of parents or guardians, to avoid defacement. If a student cannot do so, they can get a relative or friend to sign it,” DUSU Chief Election Officer, Raj Kishore Sharma said.

The new rule, introduced on Tuesday, followed the Delhi High Court’s order to set aside DU’s earlier rule, which made candidates liable to pay ₹1 lakh if they violated the anti-defacement guidelines, as it heard a petition filed by students from the All India Students’ Association (AISA).

“We will approach the court regarding this issue, because adults contesting polls should not require parental permission, and it goes against students’ autonomy. Some parents might not agree to sign it, which will prevent many from contesting elections,” AISA national general secretary Prasenjeet said.

“We will approach the court regarding this issue, because adults contesting elections should not require parental permission, and it goes against students’ autonomy. Some parents might not agree to sign it, which will prevent many from contesting elections,” AISA’s national general secretary Prasenjeet said.

Echoing concerns, Harsh Attri, national media convener for Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), said that ABVP too is against the rule and is approaching the administration to revoke it. “Most students are over the age of 18. So this is unnecessary and is being done to weaken the student movement,” he said.

Shreya, secretary of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisations (AIDSO), said, “We were concerned about the display of money and muscle power in DUSU elections, but such rules will only keep marginalised students, who might not have family support, from contesting elections.”

University officials clarified that students have to sign a surety, which their guardians will be liable to pay, “only if they violate anti-defacement guidelines”.

These developments come a year after the Delhi High Court held counting for two months over widespread defacement, which had become synonymous with DUSU elections over the years. This year, the university has issued strict guidelines that ban defacement, as well as campaigning using loudspeakers and vehicles.