The battle for Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has moved into cyberspace.
From short videos introducing candidates to posting opinions on matters related to JNUSU polls, including the united Left panel, JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s party AISF not fielding a candidate, Lyngdoh Committee and even the ABVP’s chances of winning — students’ organisations have taken to social media with a vengeance.
The candidates have also been engaging in discussions with other students via the comment sections.
Using the hashtag #ShutDownJNU, which trended on social media after the February 9 incident, the united Left front has started a campaign of its own — “They say #ShutDownJNU, we say #StandWithJNU”.
The ABVP has been using #JeetoJNU and #ABVPforJNU, while the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has been using #SaveJNUfromRadicalForces. In a reference to both the February 9 incident and the September 9 JNUSU poll date, the ABVP has put up posters reading “9 ka badla 9”. The group is urging JNU to vote for “rashtravad” on September 9.
The Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association, not well-known outside campus, has also posted introductory videos of all candidates, where they talk about what they stand for and their position in the fight between the Left and the Right.
Meanwhile, hashtags #StayBack and #FightBack are trying convince students planning to go home for Bakrid to to book their tickets after participating in the elections.
