Plea in Delhi High Court Seeks Women’s Reservation in DU Student Union Elections

A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking the implementation of women’s reservation in the upcoming Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections. The plea demands that 50% of seats in DUSU and college student union elections be reserved for women, promoting gender equality in student governance. This comes in the wake of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which recently ensured 33% women’s reservation in State Assembly and Parliament elections.

Petition Cites Constitutional Guarantees for Gender Equality
The petition, filed by Delhi University student Shabana Hussain through Advocate Ashu Bhiduri, stresses that even after 75 years of independence, women continue to face discrimination in politics. It argues that student elections, influenced by money and power, have long excluded women from meaningful participation. Shabana has been advocating for women’s representation for two years, and the case will be heard by Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on Wednesday.

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Upcoming DUSU Elections and the Need for Representation
The plea also highlights that the nomination process for DUSU elections begins on September 17, 2024, with voting scheduled for September 27, 2024. The petitioner urges the court to act swiftly to ensure that women receive their rightful representation in the student body.