Fulfilling yet another promise made in the manifesto, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has lifted the ban on student unions in universities and government colleges across the state, thereby, paving the way for union elections in the new academic year.
Directives in this regard have been sent to all concerned authorities in the state.
The Samajwadi Party, which has always supported campus politics and treats students’ unions as training ground for politicians, had assured students leaders that he party would lift the ban if voted to power.
It may be recalled that in 2007, the then chief minister Mayawati had banned holding of student union elections in order to improve the academic atmosphere in universities and degree colleges.
Later, in 2008, Ms Mayawati announced lifting of the ban in the state Assembly but maintained that student union elections would be held as per the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee which, apparently, was unacceptable to student leaders.
The last ban on students’ union elections was the fourth one since independence. A similar ban had been imposed on campus elections in 1967, 1972 and 2001 and then again in 2007.
When Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav took over the reins of the state in August 2003, he lifted all curbs on student unions. Some universities and degree colleges which did not comply with the order, had to hold union elections when the Mulayam government issued another order in December 2004 making it “mandatory” for universities and degree colleges to hold union elections.