Women’s safety has emerged as the defining theme in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, with student outfits announcing separate manifestos to woo women voters.
Leading the charge, the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) released its women’s manifesto on Friday, a day after announcing its central panel candidates. It promises a 12-day menstrual leave per semester, alongside initiatives such as night-time police patrolling, medical and counselling centres on campus, changing rooms for sportswomen, the activation of Internal Complaints Committees in all colleges, and gender-sensitisation workshops.
NSUI national president Varun Choudhary said the union is fighting the elections on the core issues of students – campus infrastructure, women’s safety, hostel facilities, reservations in colleges, scholarships and fellowships.
‘Mohabbat ki dukan’
The manifesto also outlines a broader vision of inclusivity by demanding the rollback of fee hikes, guaranteed hostel accommodation for all students, a monthly allowance of ₹5,000 for students with disabilities, and support cells for Northeast students and linguistic minorities.
