Karnataka to Maharashtra, why states are reviving campus polls

Student union elections, once stalled in several universities across India, are now experiencing a resurgence. Karnataka has authorized student body polls, while Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are also considering reviving the process. In Maharashtra, a 12-member committee is drafting guidelines for the elections. Odisha, UP, and UP's ABVP are also exploring ways to resume such elections.

However, many universities, including Jamia Millia Islamia, BHU, AMU, Allahabad University, and University of Ladakh, have not held any elections since 2006, 1996, 2018, 2019, and 2024 respectively. Central universities like JNU, DU, Assam University, UoH, and Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University continue to conduct regular elections.

In Bihar, UP, and Gujarat, state universities have either suspended or eliminated student union elections. The decision to revive these elections is driven by the need to channel youth energy, provide a platform for student grievances, and assess the strength of political parties among students. However, concerns exist that elected student unions could challenge the authority of the state governments.