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The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University and other concerned respondents to address the representation seeking the implementation of 50 per cent women's reservation in the Delhi University Students Union Elections. The plea emphasised the need for gender equality in student governance.
The bench led by Justice Manmohan, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, instructed the authorities to make a decision on the plea as per the law, preferably within three weeks. Plea moved a woman student of Delhi University also called for a court directive to allocate a specific percentage of reserved seats for women, aiming to enhance gender equality in student governance. The plea in the Delhi High Court sought directions to the Central Government, UGC, and Delhi University to reserve 50 percent of seats for female students in the Delhi University Student Union Elections (DUSU) and college student union elections. The petition stated that, following the recent Parliament enactment of 33 per cent reservation for women in State Assembly and Parliament elections under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, it is timely for Delhi University to ensure equal representation and participation for female students in its student elections. The plea emphasises the need for substantial women's reservation to promote gender equality in student governance. It further stated that recently, a notification regarding the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections was issued, after which the nomination process is scheduled to begin on September 17, 2024, and the election date is set for September 27, 2024. Petitioner Shabana Hussain, a Delhi University student, through Advocate Ashu Bhiduri has approached the Delhi High Court and highlighted her concern that despite 75 years of independence, women, who make up half the population, still face significant challenges and exploitation due to entrenched societal discrimination. She emphasised that the Constitution, crafted by BR Ambedkar, guarantees equality and participation for women, and stressed the importance of political representation for women in this male-dominated society to ensure true empowerment. Shabana further explained that she has been advocating for women's reservation in the student union elections at Delhi University for the past two years. She highlighted that the student union elections are heavily influenced by money and muscle power, which has resulted in minimal participation of women. In light of these concerns, she has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking a mandate to ensure women's representation through reservation in the upcoming student union elections. (ANI)
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