Ronak Khatri, 23, stands at the center of the DU Faculty of Law campus, surrounded by six brand-new air conditioners still wrapped in bubble wrap. Gesturing toward them, he says, "My classroom has around six ACs installed." He adds, "People have criticized me for asking for air conditioning, calling it a luxury, but we deserve it. Even access to drinking water feels like a privilege; we shouldn't have to pay for such basic necessities."
In the forthcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election on September 27, Choudhary and Khatri are vying for the presidency on behalf of the ABVP and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), respectively. The candidates for the four important roles of president, vice-president, secretary, and joint secretary were unveiled by student parties last week. With Saavy Gupta running for president, the left-wing organisations Student Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Association (AISA) have united this year.
Election fever has swept across the North Campus of DU. Pamphlets cover the streets while dhol walas pound out upbeat sounds. A sleek white Rolls Royce drives by, "DL Ronak Khatri" clearly displayed on its license plate. It is closely followed by a caravan of SUVs and jeeps in black and white that are all decorated with banners endorsing the NSUI candidate.
A first-year student asks a classmate, "Does winning DUSU really lead to national politics?" as he is taken aback by the sight.
The university administration is on high alert for election code violations with less than a week till the votes, and the Delhi Police are keeping a close eye on things.