NSUI demands student union polls: Rajasthan Congress leaders face water cannons, over 30 detained

A mild scuffle broke out between the police and NSUI workers, after which over 30 party leaders and workers, including Ladnun MLA Mukesh Bhakar and NSUI state president Vinod Jakhar, were detained.

Speaking to the media after the protest, Pilot accused the BJP government in the state led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma of deliberately delaying various elections, including panchayat and urban body polls. He said the state government was working in a dictatorial manner, taking inspiration from Delhi.

“This is a double-engine government that is doing nothing. When elections arrive, they raise issues of Hindu-Muslim, temple-mosque and try to polarise voters. If people continue to vote based on religion and caste, this will happen,” he said.

“They are scared to lose, hence they are adopting tactics to crush the voice of students,” he said. Pilot claimed that students across the state are seeking elections and criticised the BJP for having “no valid reason” to halt the process.

Responding to the allegations, Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa said it was the previous Congress government under Ashok Gehlot that had stopped the student union elections.

Students should be questioning Ashok Gehlot about why elections weren’t held during his tenure. We are committed to the welfare of students,” Bairwa stated.