C Praveen Kumar
The results of the Pondicherry University Student Council elections have reverberated nationwide in a decisive affirmation of student unity and democratic ideals. The sweeping victory of the Student Federation of India (SFI), in alliance with the Bahujan Student Front (BSF), is a powerful reminder that divisive forces have no place in educational institutions.
This landslide victory holds particular significance in a broader struggle against efforts to saffronise education and educational institutions under the aegis of the Modi-led Union Government. Since coming to power in 2014, the government has aggressively promoted policies that critics argue align with the ideological goals of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Central to these efforts has been the National Education Policy (NEP), shaped by the Kasturirangan Committee, which has faced accusations of attempting to impose a particular cultural narrative on India’s diverse educational institutions. Puducherry, a serene Union Territory, was transformed into a proving ground for the controversial policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party. These systemic changes have had far-reaching consequences for Puducherry University (PU), the Union Territory’s lone Higher education institution (HEI).
In 2019, the PU administration announced steep tuition fee hikes, citing reduced funding from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which rendered higher education inaccessible to many underprivileged rural students, igniting widespread protests on the PU campus led by the SFI. The SFI mobilised students through class boycotts, hunger strikes, and road blockades, with their call resonating among the affiliated college students who joined the fight in solidarity. SFI’s determination led to a 34-day standoff that ultimately required court intervention, forcing the PU administration to come to the negotiating table. Yet, rather than addressing student concerns, the PU administration retaliated by debarring 11 students who lead the protest including students council leaders—a punitive move ultimately overturned through legal battles led by SFI.
Furthermore, the then-Vice-Chancellor (VC) Gurmeet Singh had allegations of corruption, and there was an academic decline and administrative inefficiencies in PU during his tenure. Moreover, the controversial appointments of professors with RSS lineage raised agitation of ideological indoctrination, while students who questioned these practices faced intimidation. Despite these repressions, SFI remained resolute, demanding democratic rights, better infrastructure, and the resumption of student council elections, which had been delayed under the guise of the pandemic.
The BJP’s ascension to power in Puducherry in 2021 brought new challenges, with attempts to exploit caste, language, and religious divisions among the student body. Yet, SFI’s consistent demonstrations, ranging from signature campaigns to protests, ensured the concerns for student rights and a democratic campus remained at the forefront. These efforts included calls for free bus services for local students and a 25% reservation for residents of Puducherry.
SFI organised a resolute 10-day sit-in and hunger strike outside the VC’s office in October 2024, culminating in the announcement of student council elections at PU. Rallying behind the slogan, “Empower Campus Democracy, End Authoritarianism,” the SFI-BSF alliance mobilised collective resistance against divisive politics, securing a sweeping victory by winning all 15 council seats. The new council proudly champions strong female leadership, consisting of eight women members, including the president and secretary. Moreover, the council reflects broad demographic representation, including voices from off-campus communities.
The SFI Pondicherry State Committee views the victory as a strong statement to the nation that divisive forces have no place in educational institutions. SFI Pondicherry will convey this message to the student communities of other schools and colleges in Pondicherry to inspire them in the broader struggle for democratising education and educational campuses. The SFI-PU unit secretary declared this triumph the fruit of an arduous battle against anti-student policies and exclusionary campus practices. He further pledged that the SFI would persist in its fight for the rights of students and the broader campus community.
Beyond advocating for students’ welfare, the newly elected council committed to addressing issues impacting all university stakeholders, including resolving long-standing concerns, such as salary discrepancies for campus security guards and multi-tasking staff. The council’s president and secretary vowed to stand firmly against any anti-student measures proposed by university authorities or policymakers. Additionally, they assured special attention to the grievances of off-campuses, including the Karaikal campus, the Port Blair campus, the Community College of Pondicherry, and the Community College of Mahe.
This landmark win symbolises more than just a political shift within the university. It underscores the power of collective resistance against authoritarianism and divisive agendas. The council’s diverse and inclusive composition serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing the potential for progressive change when unity prevails over discord. As Pondicherry University students celebrate their hard-won victory, their story resonates far beyond campus boundaries. It reminds us that pursuing democratic values and social harmony is not merely an abstract ideal but a lived reality that requires courage, resilience, and solidarity. For students and progressive forces nationwide, this election is an inspiration—a clarion call to uphold the integrity of educational spaces against any attempt to undermine them.