The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to interfere with the participation of students affiliated with the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in the upcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections. A division bench heard a petition that had questioned whether such affiliations violated the guidelines set out in the Lyngdoh Committee report, which had recommended restricting the entry of outside political entities into campus politics.
The court observed that mere affiliation with national student wings of political parties did not automatically disqualify candidates from contesting university-level elections. The judges noted that the Lyngdoh report did not impose an outright ban on students who were members of student organizations linked to political parties, but rather sought to prevent direct election campaigns by the parent political parties themselves.
However, the bench did issue a stern warning to the University authorities regardingencroachment by political outfits into the electoral process. The court specifically flagged a social media post by a candidate belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party's student wing, which appeared to display both the name of the parent political party and its official election symbol. The judges directed the DU administration to take strict note of this alleged violation and ensure that no candidate uses party symbols or branding during the election campaign period.
DUSU elections are among the most closely watched student political events in the country, often serving as a visible platform for national youth wings of major political parties. NSUI, the student affiliate of the Indian National Congress, and ABVP, the student front of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ecosystem, have historically dominated Delhi University's student politics. The Lyngdoh Committee had been constituted to examine ways to reduce the influence of partisan politics on campus activities, but its recommendations have remained partially implemented over the years.
Legal experts say the court's decision reflects a careful balancing act — upholding the right of students to associate with political organizations while drawing a clear line against overt party manipulation of student elections. The DU authorities are now expected to enforce stricter compliance measures ahead of the polling schedule.
