AMU’s wants women on campus, not at the ballot box
Around 4,000 women students at AMU’s Women’s College have been denied voting rights in the Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union (AMUSU) elections, raising concerns over gender discrimination and unequal representation. Their fight to be included in the university-wide electoral process has brought renewed scrutiny to the separate-union rules and the barriers women face in campus politics, finds A. M. Jigeesh
Female students and candidates contesting the Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union (AMUSU) elections gather on the university campus ahead of polling.
Under the burnt-orange glow of the autumn sun, Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) sprawling green lawns become a backdrop to conversations around the upcoming student elections gathering steam at the weathered brick façade of the Department of History. Donning a black sherwani — a knee-length coat featuring a front button closure prescribed as the dress code for male candidates — Saquib Ali Khan, an M. Tech student and the vice-presidential candidate, asks the girls sitting in the lawn to vote for him.
While campaigning, he highlights the importance of Aligarh Muslim University Students Union (AMUSU) elections being held after a gap of eight years when he is interrupted by two girls — Zunaira Habib Alvi from Aligarh and Rahat Ul Aien from Kashmir. “What about our votes?” they ask.
- amu
- campus
- woman
- ballot
- box
- women
- university
- union
