Student union representatives from 7 states join ABVP rally at Delhi University

Elected student union representatives from Delhi, Punjab, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Assam and the Northeast, on Wednesday, joined a rally organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the University of Delhi on Wednesday. They called for upholding democratic values and protecting constitutional institutions, the ABVP said in a statement.

Over 15,000 students and elected representatives participated in the gathering, held under the slogan "Stop Anarchy, Embrace Democracy", as a response to "disruptive and anarchic forces" allegedly trying to weaken constitutional institutions and undermine social harmony in the country, according to the ABVP .

ABVP national general secretary Virendra Singh Solanki said governments in India are formed and changed through people's votes, not through street pressure or anarchy. He said criticism of the government and political dissent are integral to democracy, but alleged that attempts are being made to create distrust in electoral processes and constitutional institutions for political gain. Solanki questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition over their election-related allegations, saying such claims should be substantiated before the appropriate constitutional authorities.

Referring to political developments in Bangladesh and Nepal, he said they could not serve as models for India's democratic future. He also raised questions over women's representation within the Congress, saying women's empowerment should translate into meaningful decision-making roles. ABVP Delhi state secretary Sarthak Sharma said the gathering reflected young people's faith in democracy and that student representatives had a responsibility to strengthen healthy political discourse and democratic traditions on university campuses.

'Chhatra Garjana' rally highlights

DUSU president Yash Dabas said elected student representatives had a responsibility to strengthen democratic dialogue and that disagreement and dissent should not lead to attempts to weaken constitutional institutions. The rally was part of ABVP's nationwide campaign against what it described as political anarchy and attempts to undermine democratic institutions.

The organisation said similar 'Chhatra Garjana' rallies had been held in several states. Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president Yash Dabas, secretary Riya Chhawadi and joint secretary Lakshya Raj Singh, Panjab University Students' Union president Ankit Bhidaan, Gauhati University Students' Union president Manas Pratim Kalita, Utkal University Students' Union president Abhiram and DAV PG College, Dehradun, Students' Union president Navdeep Rana and others were present at the rally. Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union joint secretary Vaibhav Meena and former Panjab University Students' Union president Gauraveer Sohal also attended the event.