Karnataka to Maharashtra, why states are reviving campus polls

Student union elections, which have remained stalled for years at many universities across India, appear to be making a comeback as several states explore ways to revive campus polls.

Karnataka has given the green signal for student union elections, while in Madhya Pradesh, the High Court earlier this year issued directions for student union elections to be held in the state.

Maharashtra has also taken steps towards bringing back student body elections. The state's Higher and Technical Education Department has constituted a 12-member committee headed by former Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Professor Suhas Pednekar to work out a framework for conducting student union polls.

The committee has been given a month to submit its report.

Odisha is also considering a revival of student union elections. According to the report, the state government is holding discussions with stakeholders on the issue.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has met senior-level officials and demanded that university elections be resumed.

Why are states considering campus polls again?

One of the key reasons behind the renewed interest in student union elections is the perception that there are signs of growing youth unrest.

Supporters of reviving campus elections argue that elected student organisations could provide a conventional institutional platform for young people to express their concerns and participate in democratic processes.

The idea is that student politics, when conducted through recognised and elected organisations, could channel youth energies into established political and democratic structures.

The revival of campus polls is therefore being viewed not merely as an administrative issue concerning universities, but also as a way of creating a formal avenue for student participation and representation.

With Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha exploring different approaches, student union elections could once again become a significant feature of campus politics in several parts of the country.

However, the exact framework and timing of elections will vary from state to state. In Maharashtra, for instance, the committee headed by Suhas Pednekar is expected to recommend the framework before the government proceeds further.