New Delhi, The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) elections have resulted in a significant political shift, electing a Dalit president backed by Left-aligned groups for the first time in nearly 30 years. This victory is seen as a direct challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its affiliate, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which have been accused of promoting Hindutva-centric policies.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the election saw Dhananjay of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) defeating Umesh C Ajmeera of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is closely linked to the BJP and the RSS. Dhananjay’s win with 2,598 votes against Ajmeera’s 1,676 highlights a significant political statement from the student body, indicating a preference for progressive and inclusive policies over communal politics.

Dhananjay, hailing from Gaya, Bihar, marks a historic moment for the Left in JNU, becoming the first Dalit president from these groups since Batti Lal Bairwa’s election in the 1996-97 academic year.

The United Left coalition, comprising AISA, Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), swept the JNUSU elections, indicating strong support for leftist ideology among the student population. This coalition defeated the ABVP in all major positions, with Avijit Ghosh (SFI) taking the vice-president role, Priyanshi Arya (Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association) winning the general secretary position, and Mohammad Sajid (Left) securing the joint secretary’s post.

The elections showcased a remarkable engagement from the student body, recording a 73 percent voter turnout, the highest in over a decade, reflecting the university’s political dynamism and its students’ commitment to democratic processes.