JNU debate lights up the night
14 Sept 2012 5:39 AM IST
The unique tradition of holding night-long Presidential debate before elections continued in Jawahar Lal Nehru University, which drew hundreds of students to the campus.
Last night, a number of students thronged the campus to listen to the issues raised by the nominated candidates contesting for various posts.
The Question and Answer round was also a part of the debate. Students were free to ask any question regarding their grievances. This tradition, where contesting candidates give students space to think and then vote, is unique to JNU in the capital. Students from Jamia Milia University also showed enthusiastic participation in the night-long affair.
The issues discussed in the debate included American Imperialism, Palestine issue and Burmese Muslim killings. Â
Starting from the ongoing Kudankulam protest, the candidates touched diverse issues such as political and racial discrimination against Muslims in the country, Raj Thackeray’s remarks about migrants from Bihar and UP to Maharashtra, massive corruption by politicians, privatisation and so on.
Almost all parties, however, skipped prevailing campus problems such as irregularities in hostel allotment, and reducing weightage marks for viva. Nonetheless, the debate over allowing beef and pork in campus continued.
Independent candidate Abhay Kumar cited many promises that were not fulfilled by the union last year.
In JNU, elections are conducted by students themselves with no interference from the administration. At a time when student elections at the university level are equated with money, muscle and violence on the campus, JNU elections stand apart.
Last night, a number of students thronged the campus to listen to the issues raised by the nominated candidates contesting for various posts.
The Question and Answer round was also a part of the debate. Students were free to ask any question regarding their grievances. This tradition, where contesting candidates give students space to think and then vote, is unique to JNU in the capital. Students from Jamia Milia University also showed enthusiastic participation in the night-long affair.
The issues discussed in the debate included American Imperialism, Palestine issue and Burmese Muslim killings. Â
Starting from the ongoing Kudankulam protest, the candidates touched diverse issues such as political and racial discrimination against Muslims in the country, Raj Thackeray’s remarks about migrants from Bihar and UP to Maharashtra, massive corruption by politicians, privatisation and so on.
Almost all parties, however, skipped prevailing campus problems such as irregularities in hostel allotment, and reducing weightage marks for viva. Nonetheless, the debate over allowing beef and pork in campus continued.
Independent candidate Abhay Kumar cited many promises that were not fulfilled by the union last year.
In JNU, elections are conducted by students themselves with no interference from the administration. At a time when student elections at the university level are equated with money, muscle and violence on the campus, JNU elections stand apart.
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