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Girls dominate campaigning in Jamia

Staff Reporter

But no girl candidate in students' union elections

NEW DELHI: The last day of campaigning for the long-awaited elections to the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union may have had them come out in good strength to showcase their support for close friends, but taking centre-stage is not something that girls in this university are yet ready to risk.

Despite the Jamia Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hasan urging girls to participate in the election process in full vigour, not a single girl candidate is contesting the elections this year. The only girl student who filed her nomination for the main panel was disqualified as the election rules did not make her eligible to contest the polls that will be held on December 15.

With the campus dressed in posters and banners, Tuesday saw processions being taken out by various contestants. And while girls made up for some of the most vociferous supporters, the irony of their absence in the main action was hard to miss.

"I did want to contest the elections but then decided against it as I know it won't be supported by anyone. Most of my classmates said I must be out of my mind. There is very little support for girl students on the campus and since we make up for only 35 per cent of the community here, we are yet to become a friendly campus for women," felt Meenakshi Arora, a student of English (Honours).

And while the University made sure that political outfits were kept out by banning their participation in the elections, girls here feel that the move has actually hampered their chances.

"The elections should be party based as it is easy for the students to choose. There are so many independent candidates and most of them are unknown to us. Also, a party system would have helped girls contest the elections. A party system would have given us the right platform," argued another Jamia student.

There is an equally strong segment that feels that girls did not come forward because the elections are being held after a long gap. "It is not as if girls are discriminated against here. Elections are being held after eight years, everyone wants to see how it goes before stepping in, " Ayesha, a final year student said.

Seven candidates are fighting for the post of president this year, while 11 are contesting for the post of vice-president. There are 13 in the fray for the general secretary's post and nine for joint secretary.

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