New Delhi: Posts by a senior official of Delhi University and a college principal endorsing or appearing alongside the ABVP panel of candidates in the DUSU elections have drawn objections on social media, with some students’ and teachers’ groups questioning the involvement of university authorities in promoting an outfit.
Because he was not meeting the eligibility criteria, “In our college, we have not allowed an ABVP candidate to contest.
He added that all students were equal, irrespective of their political affiliation or whether they were contesting independently, and that the university’s role was to ensure a “free, fair, impartial and peaceful” election and strict adherence to the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. The post urged students to “Vote, Support, Elect ABVP” and listed its candidates. Rathi told TOI that the post was made “by mistake” and was taken down immediately. I am not partial to anyone,” she said. However, Congress’ student outfit, NSUI, said the post “raises serious questions about the impartiality and neutrality of the university administration”. NSUI media coordinator Ravi Hanuman Pandey said, “We demand immediate removal and dismissal of the official for compromising the sanctity of free and fair student elections.
A photo posted by DU joint dean of student welfare AK Singh on Facebook with the ABVP panel triggered allegations that he was promoting the group in his official capacity. Singh deleted the post Saturday and issued a clarification on the same platform saying the photograph was taken in the course of his election duty. A post by Aditi Mahavidyalaya principal Neelam Rathi as a WhatsApp story has also drawn objections. Sharma refused to comment on it. Congress-affiliated teachers’ group INTEC also demanded Singh’s removal.