To make inroads in JNU, ABVP wants courses on Savarkar, Vivekananda

In a bid to gain a foothold in Jawaharlal Nehru University, a bastion of Leftist students' unions, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) wants the teachings of "nationalist figures" like Veer Savarkar and Swami Vivekananda to be taught at the premier institute. The agenda for the upcoming JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) elections, in which candidates of the right-wing students organisation are also in the fray, include introducing Yoga and Ayurvedic studies in the curriculum.

If voted to power in the union elections slated for September 12, the ABVP has promised to push for a change in syllabi of courses taught in the School of Social Sciences. "The syllabus mainly includes Marxism and Marxist theories which are taught in several courses. Why not present an alternative, show the other side of the coin? Firstly, we would like the history and teachings of nationalist figures like Swami Vivekananda and Veer Savarkar to be introduced," said Vinay Kant, president of ABVP's JNU unit.

"The Centre of Indian Languages should be expanded to School of Indian Languages and MA courses in Oriya, Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam and Assamese should be started," said the poll agenda released by the organisation. If elected, ABVP plans to write to the HRD Ministry requesting the change in syllabi of several courses taught in JNU, Kant said. To ensure a gender-sensitive campus, strengthening of university's gender sensitisation body, women guards at girls' hostels, monitoring of outsiders entering campus, especially at food joints during night time and a compulsory course on gender awareness, also figure in the agenda.

ABVP has proposed a strong check on anti-national activities including "enforcement of a ban on Democratic Students Union". It has also suggested a background screening of students engaged in such activities by Delhi Police. Its other poll promises include bus service, special vehicles for differently-abled students, northeast students assistance cell, increase in fellowship amount and an effective placement cell. In the Left-dominated JNU campus, the membership of ABVP has seen a significant rise this year. "Our cadre base has increased from last year's 500 members to 800 this year," said Kant. It has also appealed to minority students by fielding Md. Jahidul Dewan for the Vice-President's post.