Lucknow University students vote aye for union of ideals, nay for ‘goonda’ league

LUCKNOW: “If the authorities develop a JNU-like model for a

union

where students fight it out with ideologies and not guns, I am all for it. But, if revival means return to pre-2007 goondagardi, then it is a big no,” MA student Swati Shukla was overheard telling her classmates Sahil Mahajan and Warisha Siddiqui outside Tagore Library at LU.


While Sahil contended that a union would ensure the student voice is heard, Warisha was opposed to the idea and cited how the academic ambience had been vitiated in the past. “Harassment of girls was rampant. Student leaders worked for political parties and were more interested in furthering their political career. They hardly cared what students wanted,” she said.

While Sahil contended that a union would ensure the student voice is heard, Warisha was opposed to the idea and cited how the academic ambience had been vitiated in the past

Sahil had a prompt reply. “Look around you. There are no proper drinking water kiosks on the campus or toilets for that matter. Hostels are in a mess. Members of staff are rude when we apply for academic documents. A students’ union is imperative to fix all this,” he argued.

The debate raged on at the arts quadrangle. When his BA classmates pointed out how student leaders had beaten up teachers last year, a combative Kartikey Singh Tomar retorted, “Agreed that there will be a bit of violence now and then, but a union alone can train future leaders of politics; something you don’t learn in classrooms.”

Outside the cashier’s office, hosteller Ramji Tripathi was overheard saying a union would help students influence LU decisions. “Be it fee hike or facilities in hostels, classrooms and libraries, we don’t have a say in anything as of now,” he maintained. Tripathi’s batchmates disagreed. “If the varsity makes headlines for violence, we will not get admission or employment anywhere in the country,” one of them said.

While most girls seemed to be against a union owing to the history of harassment associated with student leaders, some supported the cause and were even keen to contest polls.

“Once women enter student politics and vote in large numbers, men (male student leaders) will have to respect them and that will end harassment by their aides,” said Ayesha Sharma of the BCom department.

The students, however, were on the same page about one thing: LU must take feedback from students as to what kind of union model they wanted, instead of imposing the earlier model that allowed rogues easy entry.



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