New Delhi: All India Students’ Association (AISA) moved Delhi High Court Wednesday against Delhi University ’s decision to seek a separate undertaking from parents of students contesting in its student union elections.
The parents have to confirm that they are aware of and have consented to the student’s candidature and stand surety for the candidate for an amount of Rs 1 lakh in case of violations of election guidelines, including defacement of university or public property, according to the DU document. Under the surety bond, a liability of Rs 1 lakh is binding on the parent for acts or omissions by a candidate or his supporters, according to the current election documents.
The Left-backed outfit alleged that under a “newly introduced” election document, parents of the candidates would have to submit a separate affidavit in addition to their ward’s undertaking. AISA activists Ananya Raturi and Akshat Shikhar filed the petition challenging the undertaking sought by the election committee of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). AISA has now questioned the need to involve parents in the candidature of adult university students, arguing that many students are financially independent and may not have parental support for contesting elections. It also raised concerns about the impact of such a requirement on women students who may face resistance at home when seeking to participate in campus politics.
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