DUSU Elections 2023: ABVP manifesto promises same fee for all courses, new hostels, job opportunities

NEW DELHI : The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has released its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) Elections 2023. This manifesto titled "WoManifesto" promises the same fee for all courses, special buses, increase in scholarships for reserved categories, new hostels, and more.

DUSU elections 2023 will be conducted on September 22. The students’ organisation had earlier said that it will release two different manifestos – one for all students and another for female students.

The key highlights of the ABVP manifesto are:

1. One course, one fee to ensure fairness in education costs.

2. University special buses for the convenience of students.

3. Increment in SC, ST, and OBC scholarships for students from marginalized backgrounds.

4. Metro concession passes to facilitate affordable metro travel for students

5. Construction of new hostels and girls' hostels in every college.

6. Earn While Learn Policy to provide students with opportunities to earn while pursuing their education.

7. Special scholarships for transgender students

ABVP released the manifesto in a press conference which witnessed the presence of all four candidates for DUSU – Tushar Dedha, Sushant Dhankar, Aprajita, and Sachin Baisla, along with ABVP state secretary, Harsh Attri, and ABVP National Media Convener, Ashutosh Singh.

Tushar Dedha, presidential candidate, affirmed, "Previous ABVP-led DUSUs have diligently addressed student concerns. We are committed to addressing issues like fee hikes, expanding hostel infrastructure, and prioritizing mental health."

Aprajita, secretary candidate, emphasized organisation’s commitment to women's empowerment, mentioning initiatives like 'Mission Sahasi' for self-defense training and 'Ritumati Abhiyan' for sanitary pad distribution.

She added that ABVP will take measures like restoring and renewing sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in all colleges, full-time gynecologist and psychologists in the WUS health center in DU, pink booths near every hostel, installation of CCTV cameras inside and outside college campuses, gender sensitization camps, strengthening Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in colleges, hiring female trainers in sports and co-curricular activities, girls' common room in every college, etc.

Additionally, the manifesto includes demands for improved amenities such as water coolers at every 100 meters of Chhatra Marg, sanitation in every college, 'Mindfulness' Centers in DU, effective implementation of 'Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat' Program, special arrangements for the commute of Divyang students, and meaningful employment opportunities along with professional development training through an effective placement cell.