SIO K’taka submits recommendations on Campus Elections, Urges Govt to reinstate student unions
Bengaluru: The Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) Karnataka has submitted a set of recommendations to the state government urging the reinstatement of student union elections across higher education institutions, citing the need to revive campus democracy and student representation.
The recommendations are based on a statewide survey conducted by SIO Karnataka across colleges and universities in the state to understand students’ views on campus elections. The survey, carried out through Google Forms, gathered responses from students studying in both government and private institutions, with a majority of respondents coming from private unaided colleges.
According to SIO Karnataka, the findings show that while many students recognise the importance of student union elections, their awareness of the legal framework, rules and structure governing such elections remains limited. The organisation said this underlines the need for awareness and sensitisation programmes before elections are conducted.
The survey found strong support among students for campus elections as a means to preserve a democratic atmosphere within educational institutions. Respondents viewed student unions as platforms that help develop leadership skills, promote accountability, and facilitate structured dialogue between students and college administrations. Students also called for clear, state-mandated guidelines to ensure that elections are conducted smoothly and remain free from violence, external interference and political misuse.
A large majority of respondents favoured imposing a cap on election expenditure, expressing concern that excessive spending could lead to conflict and disrupt the academic environment. Students stressed that campus politics should remain non-partisan, ethical and transparent, and should focus on student welfare rather than external political agendas.
SIO Karnataka noted that campus democracy in India has historically produced several prominent political leaders at the national and state levels, including Sitaram Yechury, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Arun Jaitley, Nirmala Sitharaman, M.K. Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, Ashok Gehlot and Prakash Karat. In Karnataka too, leaders such as D.K. Shivakumar, B.K. Hariprasad, K.R. Ramesh Kumar, Roshan Baig, Saleem Ahmed, N.A. Haris, Ramalinga Reddy, Shobha Karandlaje and Rizwan Arshad have emerged from student politics.
Welcoming recent remarks by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in support of campus elections, Mohammed Hayyan, State Secretary of SIO Karnataka, reiterated the organisation’s long-standing demand for the restoration of student union elections in the state. He said such elections play a crucial role in nurturing political awareness, social responsibility and democratic values among students.
A delegation from SIO Karnataka submitted a memorandum outlining its recommendations to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Sharanaprakash Patil, and Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar. The delegation also met Congress MLC Rizwan Arshad at his residence.
The delegation included SIO Karnataka State President S. Adi Al Hasan, State Secretary Mohammed Hayyan and State Secretary Abubakar Siddique.
SIO Karnataka urged the government to update the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations to suit present-day realities, introduce campus elections initially in pilot mode, enforce expenditure limits, set age restrictions for candidates, and hold consultations with educationists, civil society groups and student organisations. The organisation said reinstating student union elections would help restore a democratic and inclusive environment across campuses in Karnataka.
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
