The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) organized a rare and very large-scale student protest in Rajasthan of recent times at the Shaheed Smarak on MI Road, Jaipur, on 5th August demanding the immediate reinstatement of student union elections in Rajasthan’s colleges and universities. Sachin Pilot, AICC General Secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister of state, took charge of the rally, voicing strong support for student demands and condemning the state government’s delay in holding elections.
As protesters attempted to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence in Civil Lines, the Rajasthan Police deployed water cannons and established barricades to contain the advancing crowd. The confrontation led to mild scuffles between protesters and law enforcement personnel. Authorities detained over many leaders and student activists..
Speaking at the demonstration, Sachin Pilot accused the BJP-led “double‑engine” government of authoritarian and anti-secular tendencies for polarization of votes and highlighted importance of democratic participation on campuses. Second-in-command, NSUI President Varun Choudhary & NSUI Rajasthan Vinod Jakhar criticised BJP Govt of Rajasthan stating that they do nothing except changing name of schemes and programmes of previous governments.
Student union elections in Rajasthan, last held in 2022, were suspended in 2023 by the previous Congress administration under the pretext of reorganizing the education system under the National Education Policy. However, the current BJP government has not reinstated them despite repeated calls from student groups and opposition leaders.
Yesterday’s protest marked a high-profile political moment in Jaipur, with AICC General Secretary and former Deputy CM of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot voicing support for democratic campus politics and NSUI President, Varun Choudhary with NSUI President of Rajasthan, Vinod Jakhar, a humble background leader with almost no family history of politics at this level, played a huge role at the forefront and organising rally against the BJP government’s failure to restore elections despite over a year in power. Police intervention via water cannons and detentions highlighted the tensions. The protest raises renewed concerns over curtailed student representation and the urgency of reinstating electoral mechanisms in higher education institutions.
