Chandigarh: Foreign students feel neglected, groups call them silent voters

Chandigarh: The groups participating in the Punjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) elections tried to create an atmosphere with different sections of young voters during their election campaign, but they failed to approach the foreign students on the campus with the same intensity. This grand campus event, which saw a buzz everywhere, will see the same enthusiasm on the polling day on September 5. However, missing out on this excitement, a section of foreign students failed to join the election fervor. Sources claimed that 151 students from other countries had applied for admission in various courses during the last academic year. Out of the total 151 registered students, 142 opted to join their respective courses. This year, the university has already confirmed admissions of several foreign students and the number is likely to increase further by September 15.

Students who deposit their fees by September 4 for the allotted admission will be eligible to cast their vote. He said, “I am not even aware of this enthusiasm among the students. When I was going towards my department, two people came up to me and asked for my vote. I don’t even remember who they were or the name of their party. I will go with my friend on the polling day and follow their path,” said a recent student from the campus management department. While the parties released various agendas for the welfare of students, these foreign nationals hardly found any mention in any group’s priority. “Actually I am not aware of what is happening on the campus. On the first day, I felt something serious has happened and I literally ran towards a building. I was playing football at that time. Later, my friends explained the process to me.

I felt, they should have included something for us in their agenda too,” said another student on the condition of anonymity. “My girlfriend was scared seeing so many policemen outside the (football) ground,” laughed his friend. While some foreign students felt ignored, the groups claimed that these citizens were a huge part of the university and their campaign. “Our agenda refers to every student of the university. Foreign nationals are a proud part of the student fraternity and they will also be given all the benefits,” said Akul, a representative of the students’ political group. A student who is managing the social campaign of one of the groups said, “See, we ask them to accompany us on the campaign trail and campaign, but they are afraid to come out in the open. We have called them our ‘silent’ voters and as per the trend, they come out in large numbers to vote, especially those living in hostels.”

Campaigning ends, on D-day

With campaigning coming to an end, the contesting groups will now focus on word-of-mouth campaigning, as only two days are left for polling. A total of 13 rallies were organised from 5 pm to 9 pm today, most of them in all-girls’ hostels.

Youth Congress leader suspended

In a letter issued recently, the Punjab Youth Congress has suspended its general secretary and former PUCSC joint secretary Karan Randhawa from the body for anti-party activities. Randhawa was recently issued a show-cause notice by the Youth Congress (YC) for joining the campaign for Anurag Dalal, the presidential candidate of the rebel faction who quit the NSUI.