The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Sunday released its manifesto for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, with student housing among its key focus areas. The recent collapse of a building housing a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Satya Niketan had highlighted the shortage of safe and affordable living spaces for university students.
In its manifesto, the ABVP has proposed the construction of new hostels, adequate hostel facilities for women students, a dedicated student accommodation cell and helpline, safety audits of PGs and hostels, strict implementation of fire-safety norms, and better access to basic facilities such as clean amenities, drinking water, and Internet connectivity.
Speaking at the release, ABVP’s presidential candidate Yash Dabas said, “The four pillars of our manifesto, ‘A-Awas, B-Bhagidari, V-Vishwas and P-Parinaam’, represent the issues that directly affect students’ lives and aspirations. The manifesto focuses on safe and affordable student accommodation, women’s safety, greater student participation in university decision-making, academic reforms and career opportunities.”
‘Stronger security patrols’
On women’s safety, the manifesto proposes stronger security patrols, pink booths, adequate women security personnel, improved lighting, common rooms for women students, sanitary napkin vending machines, gynaecologists at health centres, and self-defence training. To strengthen students’ transition from education to employment, the ABVP has also proposed greater opportunities through job fairs, industry and research-institution partnerships, training and internships, AI and digital-skills programmes, and innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives.
‘Creating mechanisms’
ABVP’s vice-presidential candidate Ishu Maurya said, “Students are the primary stakeholders of the university, and their voices must have a meaningful place in decisions that affect them. Our focus will be on creating mechanisms where students can raise their concerns and see effective action on them.”
The ABVP candidates contesting the election are Yash Dabas for the post of president, Ishu Maurya (vice-president), Riya Chhawdi (secretary), and Lakshya Raj Singh (joint secretary).
Meanwhile, the National Students’ Union of India announced that it will release its manifesto on Monday. The election is scheduled for September 18.
Published – September 14, 2026 12:20 am IST
