Chandigarh: Reserved seats, gym, self-defence to woo women voters

Chandigarh: In order to effectively manage the safety of women during the upcoming student council elections, PU authorities have set a time-frame for candidates and student leaders to campaign in girls’ hostels. According to the foot march schedule prepared by the university authorities, candidates have been given 1.5 hours to campaign in 10 girls’ hostels. As per the schedule, candidates from each group were allowed to march in a stipulated order from their respective tent area to the girls’ hostels. This way, the authorities can ensure that there are no clashes or any untoward incident between the supporters of the groups.

“We are taking all precautionary measures ahead of the elections, especially with regard to girls’ accommodation. The Chandigarh Police is assisting us in these efforts,” said a university official. It is important for student groups to woo women voters, considering the fact that the majority of students on campus are women. Moreover, with three women candidates in the fray for the post of president in the Panjab University Campus Students Council, the stakes are high and no party wants to leave any stone unturned. A few days ago, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had released a special manifesto focusing on women’s issues on campus.
The party’s presidential candidate Arpita Malik had also advocated for installing panic buttons on campus for the safety of women. The party had also announced that after coming to power they will bring reservation for women in the student council and at least one seat will be reserved for women every year. On Saturday, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) had announced that they will ensure a special gym for women on campus and will also train them in self-defense classes. Arpita, Sara Sharma from PSU Lalkar and Alka from Ambedkar Student Front are three of the nine candidates for the top council post.