Published on : 05/10/2025

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Students’ Unions: Engines Of Democracy Or Disrupters Of Campus Peace?

Students’ Unions: Engines Of Democracy Or Disrupters Of Campus Peace?

Author Details

Mr. Raveesh Mahajan, 

3rd year, B.A. LL.B.,  

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

 

It is rightly said by Mahatma Gandhi that “the spirit of democracy cannot be superimposed from outside; it must come from within.” Democracy is not just a system of governance, it is the spirit of equality, participation and freedom that must live in every institution from parliament to campuses. Students are not just the torchbearers of the future, but they are the power of today. Students are the heartbeat of a university; without their voice, the campus is just buildings and classrooms. Student unions are a democratic body of students in a university or college elected by the students themselves to represent their interests. They act as a bridge between administration and students, giving voice to concerns about academics, facilities and campus life. It is just a transition from class monitors to class representative and finally representative of students as a whole in the university. In this article, we will see the need for students' unions, whether is it beneficial or not, and what would be the balanced approach for the smooth functioning of university campuses.[1]

The concept of the student union emerged from Europe during the nineteenth century. The history of the student union in India dates back to late nineteenth century and the first few decades of the twentieth century where the swadeshi movement, the beginning of armed resistance, the arrival of socialist thought,  the non-cooperation movement,  the protest against Simon commission and the years of resistance which pages the way for the unorganised students movement like in 1919 the first elected students union of India was formed at Ripon college thereafter leading by all Bengal students association (ABSA).[2] The All-India Student Federation (AISF) 1935 was formed in Lucknow, which framed a charter of demands about educational and democratic rights, paving the way for the birth of the organised student movement. These movements in the times of the Second World War, the famine of 1943 and till the time of independence worked tirelessly for their rights. The year 1970 was set to be a landmark in the history of the organised student movement, as the Students Federation of India (SFI). The eighties and nineties had seen a great upheaval in the students' movement through the 1986 education policy, 1990 liberalisation reforms, the fall of the Soviet and the right to education. 

For the democratic functioning of universities or colleges, there is a need for student unions so that the voices of students are not subsumed; they should not echo only in their minds, but must come out without any fear or deterrence. Let us see some judicial backing of student unions, first of all, the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, which provides for “we the people.” In the very first line, the power of democracy lies with the people, and it is the duty of the people to ensure that this right is not ruined or taken away from them. Article 19(1)c of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to form associations, unions, or cooperative societies. Thus, it also includes professional associations, trade unions, student unions, etc. However, this right can be reasonably restricted in the interests of sovereignty, integrity of India, public order and morality. Article 19(1) (a), which provides for freedom of speech and expression, thus students, being citizens, have the right to express opinions, protest peacefully and debate campus issues. The Supreme Court in cases like University of Kerala v Council of Principal[3] and Unnikrishnan v State of Andhra Pradesh[4] has highlighted the need for student unions and also holistic education, which includes democratic participation. 

Let us see why universities require having elected student unions to ensure democratic representation.     

We have numerous examples where the student unions act as a training ground for leadership. Some notable leaders who emerged from student unions are Arun Jaitley (Delhi University, ABVP), elected president of DUSU (1974) and contributed as union finance minister of India, Lalu Prasad Yadav (Patna University), who was the leader of Patna University students’ union (1970) and later became the chief minister of Bihar, also union railway minister. Many others, like Sitaram Yechury, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Ram Vilas Paswan, played an active role in student movements. Student unions provide the first exposure to the democratic process. They act as a training ground for negotiation, leadership and public speaking. Student unions function as a mini-parliament, giving students first-hand experience of elections, representation, debate and accountability.

This can be seen with the recent case study of Arvind Kejriwal, who was an active participant in student activism during his college days at IIT Kharagpur. Though not formally elected as a student union leader, he was deeply involved in student protests and organising movements related to educational reforms and civil rights. In a significant move to engage the youth in political discourse, the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP). His student activism laid the foundation for his leadership and eventually led him to found the political party Aam Aadmi Party and become the chief minister of Delhi.[5]

Student unions provide a safeguard against authoritarianism - Campuses without unions often face top-down decisions with no student consultation. This is the practice that is prevalent in every university and college. There is no inclusion of students in any form of decision-making process or welfare programmes. Unions ensure checks and balances within university governance. It is quite strange to note a recent example where a huge amount of money is spent on making the statues and buildings in the university, which are of little use, but if this could be used for the student welfare, like on their hostels, their transportation, seats and many more would be highly appreciated. The students in the university are not only required to obey the orders of the authority, but there should be a chance given to them to express their needs and problems. Today's youth is living with the perception that voices won't be heard. They have isolated themselves in their own world. The need to respond and to lift the voices of the students on the campus would not only create interest in students with regard to their needs but would foster their active participation. The youth of India have the potential; the only need is to provide them with resources and a good chance. 

The effective example for this is where the role of student unions during the emergency in India, when fundamental democratic rights were suspended, press censorship, arrests of the political masses and elections were suspended. Student union leaders actively resisted the authoritarian regime by underground protest, newsletters and pamphlets exposing government excesses. They mobilised public opinion against the Emergency, contributing to the broader democratic resistance movement. 

Student unions are the representation of students’ interests - It provides an organised platform to the students to raise their voice, like fee hikes, hostel facilities, gender safety, mental health support and inclusivity. There are some genuine problems of the students, and also if everyone starts complaining or reverting back to the institution, the authorities would be in a complacent situation. There comes the student union, who represent the needs of students. There are certain necessary needs and problems which may arouse a conflict of interest between the students and authorities, these differences could be settle amicably only if both the sides recognise the others importance. Today's education has turned into a business, corruption the root cause of every evil has polluted the entire atmosphere for the studies, thereby student unions will help the other students to resist against these malpractices. There are cases where students have put themselves into the wrong track like living far away from home in the university it is often seen that the students are attracted towards intoxicants. Slowly it turned into their addiction and they are very much accustomed to it. Drug addiction not hampers youth from studies but also ruin their health. Many mothers have lost their child; many sisters left in vain to tie thread on the wrist of their brothers. Thus, all the evils whether it is of drug addiction, online chatrooms, online gaming need to be addressed and being presented in front of the authorities for the immediate solutions. 

The first step towards representation of the students interest is to identify the need then to gather feedback from the fellow students for their collective interest and thereafter lobby the administration, explaining to them why the change is needed and what benefits it would bring to the community as a whole and then negotiation, the union engages in discussion with the university to address the student’s needs and finally towards achieving a positive outcome. 

Student unions promote accountability and transparency in the campus - If the rose is liked for its fragrance the same rose has its thorns which can lead to bleeding. The university/colleges or educational institutions which are regarded as the temple of learning the same are being misused by many for their evil needs. There are several malpractices going on in the colleges or universities which includes financial malpractice of sudden increase in the fees or capitation fee and donations Academic malpractices includes manipulated exam results, ghost attendance, plagiarism and fake research like faculty or administration encouraging unethical practices to boost institutional rankings. Administrative malpractices include nepotism in appointments like hiring of unqualified relatives or politically connected individuals, misused of hostel rules and also there is corruption in infrastructure and funds like often there is misuse of government grants for labs, libraries or scholarships. 

Recently several students of the university concern the process of distributing merit-based scholarships and financial aid. Many economically weaker background students were reportedly left out without proper explanation. The then student union raised the issue formally in meetings with university administration. They organised public campaigns demanding that the criteria for scholarship allocation should be made transparent and reduced favouritism. 

Student unions play substantial role in nation building process - It reminds us of the great saying ask not what the country has done for you ask what you can do for your country. By inclusive participation which includes students from all the corners of the nation without any discrimination they come together for their needs. It promotes the feeling of common brotherhood, oneness and most prominently unity. By involving in debates and decision making, these unions prepare students to be a responsible democratic citizen. It installs among the students that courage to fight for their rights, confidence, leadership qualities also the most prominent knowledge as without full knowledge and proof no one would trust them. Unions not only just protest but they organise many literacy drives, social services, blood donation camps, legal aid clinics. They connect university with society making education socially relevant. These practices help them to excel in their career and in whichever field they would go they would shine differently. Whether it is civil services, judiciary, engineering, doctor, scientist any many more the most importantly thing which is required in every field is confidence, how you convince other, how you respond to other that's what from the initial stage these unions install among students. 

The role of student union from participating in salt Satyagraha and quit India movement to participating in anti-corruption movements and conducting many blood donation camps, tree plantation programs, literacy campaigns in rural areas also organising awareness drives on health, sanitation and voter rights. Also, where students actively involve para legal volunteers giving legal awareness to the marginalized and downtrodden people is highly commendable. 

Student unions and women's safety. There is irony but truth we live in a country unfortunately where a cigarette that can kill you is sold openly but when young girl needs to buy a sanitary pad she needs to hide in a black polythene. we live in a country where women are meant for venting out frustration. India the land of great saints and civilizations in one place daughters are being worshipped as goddess and in the other they are being raped. Who will justify it? There are prominent cases whether it is of sexual harassment or rape that is seen in the colleges. Where women in the country are not safe all those developments in the nation are of no use. It has been seen there are universities who for the sake of their reputation help the accused but it could be taken in other way too they can also set the precedent for other universities or colleges that placed the accused behind the bars. There is also lacking of functional internal complaints committee under the POSH Act 2013 but these committees too favour for their universities. Victim blaming and fear of retaliation discourage reporting of the case on time. 

Several incidents of ragging and harassment of female students is seen in the campuses. Many female students express their fear of harassment in hostels, classrooms and other common areas. The student union demanded strict implementation of ragging policies, installation of CCTV cameras in hostels, increased lightening in hostels and corridors and formation of women's grievance redressal committee. 

Thus, one can say student union covers almost every parameter of campus life including academic environment, political awareness, infrastructure facilities, grievance redressal and welfare, social and cultural activities, career guidance and skill development, protest and strikes, leadership development and sometimes law and order.

As every coin has two sides in the same very aspect the other side of student union which is counter viewpoint make us understands that it is not as mandatory to have student unions in every university or college. Politicisation of campus1. Politicisation of student unions transform the university from a laboratory of ideas to an extension of battlefield of national politics. Many Students union start acting as the youth wing for the mainstream parties and campus election becomes a proxy war for the students. 

Politicization of Campus - Politicisation often leads to clashes, vandalism during elections or protests. It has been also seen on one hand politicisation has produced great leaders like Arun Jaitley, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nirmala Sitharaman and on the other hand it risks turning vote banks instead of nurseries of ideas. The political atmosphere often threatens others and there occurs the feeling of fear and deterrence among others. It has also been seen due to this political attitude the students often start misbehaving, disrespecting with their teachers and some of them even carry weapons with them. All these behaviours start making the university a place of battlefield where one set of students are defying other just because of the differences in their political agenda.[6]

Academic disruptions there is often seen due to frequent strikes, protest, bandhs there is complete disruption in the academic field. People losses their interest in the classes and often discusses about the issue of the protest. It harms the academic atmosphere as genuine students lose their precious classroom and library time due to shut down. Protest can even cause postponement of examination or results hitting students’ future especially for the final year who are looking for job or higher studies. Seminar halls, auditoriums they are frequently occupied by the union for their speeches and rallies by which academic activities get side lined. It also results in the frequent problem seen in the youth regarding brain drain as they don't find requisite environment of studies for their career so they plan to go abroad for their studies where learning isn't disrupted by such activities. Anything that is in excess is harmful so as goes with student unions their excesses sometimes turn academic spaces into arenas of agitation where learning is sacrificed at the altar of politics. 

Muscle and Money Power - Posters, banners, rallies and campaigning often cost a huge amount of rupees and instead of representing student’s candidates backed by rich or politically connected families dominate in the campus which often neglect the other students. Many student elections often mirror mainstream politics and their rival groups resort to physical clashes leaving ordinary students unsafe. There is also influence of political parties in the students wing elections. Ordinary meritorious students who genuinely want to work for welfare are side lined only those muscle men supporters or financial backing survive in this environment. Students start acting like they have achieved everything in their life and they are contended with it there arises the problem of neglecting about their career. They enrolled in these activities so much that there loose the power to distinguish between real and fantasy. They almost neglect their future career goals that is the ultimate achiever by which they enter into the university. There is also the change of attitude which is seen in them after acquiring some posts like they often become adamant, aggressive, thinks they are the supreme of all, obstinate, miscreants. 

Harm to universities reputation and image - News channels thrive on controversial student political stories and instead of getting deep into the matter they just add the headlines that hamper the university name and fame. University gets spotlighted without any deep investigation just a mere call by the student union media channel start reflecting the scenes of the protest. In today's era where everyone is there on social media students themselves post wrong comments about the university on social media platforms which get circulated in few seconds. All these cause a stigma at campus stability like too much unrest reduces the chances of student exchange programs, collaborations and funding thereby reducing university image at globally.[7]

Financial and administrative burden - Student unions often, in their protest, strikes or clashes, damage the property, vandalise buses and in their agitation block the gates of the university. All these repairs directly go from the university budget and sometimes money collected for students' welfare sometimes gets diverted for these purposes. The vice chancellor, dean, registrar and faculty member often spend disproportionate time handling these disputes instead of focusing on academics and research. Faculty members face pressure from politically based unions regarding their grades and attendance. Deploying police forces and security forces during their protest not only tarnishes university image but also adds extra administrative expenditure. 

The balanced way where both the university and students are satisfied with their part is very much necessary as student unions are very much necessary to raise the spirit of democracy among students but it is also essential to make sure that these appointments won't disturb the academic environment of the university. It is very much necessary that both the parties contribute together for the easy handling of the problems. Thus, let us see the balance approach for smooth functioning of the campuses with student union. 

Transparent and democratic elections -Elections must be conducted in a fair and transparent manner with proper supervision by the university. There must be proper controlled by the university on any mischievous activity. This will need cooperation from both the sides ensuring a healthy and fruitful environment in the campus. Usually, it is seen that university don't interfere in the students but it is their utmost duty to ensure that the fair and transparent elections must take place for the betterment of all since if any discrepancies would lead to a lot of chaos. 

Limited and relevant interest - Students unions must be limited in representing student interest that too which are of utmost relevancy. Students must keep this thing in their mind on being appointed as leader of the students they have not become such a personality that would surpassed the relevancy of administration. Decision regarding curriculum, faculty appointments and administration must remain under the prerogative of the university in that case they must be kept out of the sphere. 

Code of conduct and accountability - students union must strictly adhere to code of conduct during the elections and guidelines must be given by the university to prevent abuse of power. One who abuses his power must be directly suspended from election and strict action must be taken against him. 

University control - The University must appoint the duties of faculty members for the well-maintained elections of the student union. They must only hold the enormous power to conduct the elections rather than deploying power in the hands of the students. The university administration must have control on the students since elections are for students but it is to be kept in the mind of the administration giving too much liberty to them would result in the violation of disciplinary rules in the campus and later when being pointed would result in agitations among them. 

Constructive activities - student unions must encourage towards constructive activities like academic seminars, career guidance, sports etc. rather than engaging their most of the time simply in the protest and revolts. 

Grievance redressal mechanism - There must be establishment of grievance redressal channels in the university supervised by the impartial committees along with student union being the part. The committee must include university faculty members along with student union so that it helps in avoiding unnecessary agitations and gives a structured way to solve student issues. 

Periodic monitoring - There must also be establishment of student union monitoring committee which include administration, faculty and student members to evaluate union performance periodically. Also, there must be specific rules and guidelines to avoid any conflict on social media misuse. 

The supreme court of India while hearing a petition filed by the University of Kerala challenging the decision of the high court of Kerala in 2005 directed the central government to give directions regarding student union election in the country. The ministry of human resources constituted a six-member committee under the leadership of former election commissioner of India James Michael Lyngdoh proposed recommendations which were accepted by the supreme court and some of the major includes: - [8]

· The attendance of the candidate should be at least 75% 

· The candidate should not have any criminal record 

· The elections expenses of the candidate should not exceed ₹5000 

· The candidate shall not make threats, bribes or any other inducement to woo the voters. 

· No candidate shall deface any property of the university or college for any purposes 

Thus, with these recommendations if student unions functions, they can teach the power of representation, debate, and collective action. Student unions are not just campus bodies they are the first step in building a society where every voice matters and injustice is challenged. The lines by Henry Wadsworth truly inspires the young minds that "In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of life, Be not like a dumb driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!" The strength of nation lies in the awareness and activism of youth and the student unions are the most powerful platform for this transformation. A responsible student union does not merely represent students demands it inspires civic duty, cultivates leadership and builds the moral fabric of the nation. Student union should work relentlessly and where sky is the limit every challenge becomes an opportunity and every failure a step closer to success. 

Barack Obama in his final press conference said "you are not supposed to be sycophants you are supposed to be sceptic. You are supposed to ask me tough questions you are not supposed to be complimentary but you are supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power and make sure that we are accountable to the people who sent us here." The same saying goes with the student unions they need not to be sycophants of the politicians or administration but they must keep this thing in the mind that they are accountable to the people who has given them this position. They need to work for the development of the students as well as University. They must work with full zeal and fervour so that their voices must reach throughout the nation for the noble cause. 
References

[1] Jean Thomas Martelli & Khaliq Parkar, Diversity, Democracy and Dissent: A Study on Student Politics in JNU, ENGAGE, (March 2018), https://share.google/F9ire3mbKgvZOaTeE

[2] The History of the SFI and the Students’ Movement in India, https://share.google/0PwNqGGyg6JcSedYo (Last visited on Sept. 19, 2025).

[3] University of Kerala v Council of Principals, (2009) 7 SCC 726.

[4] Unnikrishnan v State of Andhra Pradesh, (1993) AIR 2178

[5] AAP Relaunches its student wing with the focus on DU student body election, https://share.google/jxKbfp1pJT2914skk (Last Visited on Sept. 19, 2025). 

[6] The Hyperpoliticisation of Indian Higher Education, https://share.google/zI82TEsm2YJQXrPzp (Last Visited on Sept. 19, 2025).

[7] Vivek Singh, A Case Study of Student Unrest in Himachal Pradesh University, 8, Int. J. of Education and Applied Social Science, 129, 129-135, (April 2017). 

[8] GOI, Ministry of Human Resource Development, https://share.google/AuPdxR1xM2XGXU15H (Last visited on Sept. 19, 2025).