A Game Changer for Campus Politics: Panjab University Introduces Reservation for Women Leadership
Women-reserved seat mandate in student body elections at Panjab University
Who wouldn't be intrigued by the latest buzz in Panjab University's campus politics? This educational institution, home to a majority of female students, has decided to take a leap towards gender equity. Starting from the 2025-26 session, one of the four key office-bearer positions in the Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) will be reserved for women.
Yes, you heard it right! This innovative move is the first of its kind in the university's history, a step towards fostering greater female participation in campus politics. The decision is based on recommendations put forth by a committee, established by the vice-chancellor to overhaul the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing student elections.
The committee, led by professor Nandita Singh, was tasked with drafting revised SOPs for the dean student welfare (DSW) office following a fatal stabbing incident on the campus in March. The vice-chancellor, Renu Vig, has confirmed the implementation of these recommendations from the next academic session.
"We have a considerable number of female students, and there had been a pending proposal for a while calling for reservations in the PUCSC. With a bill passed to provide reservation for women in Lok Sabha seats, it is a step in the right direction to do this for our student council as well," she said.
The specific office-bearer seat to be reserved—be it president, vice-president, general secretary, or joint secretary—will be determined through a draw of lots conducted by the DSW office. However, a concern arises whether the prestigious president's seat might either be consistently overlooked or repeatedly selected.
Addressing this concern, the vice-chancellor mentioned they will monitor the situation and can choose rotational reservation for women, if needed. "We can hold a draw of lots at the start of the next session and then opt for the seat to be reserved from the next session on rotational basis, either in ascending or descending order," she said.
Despite the majority of female students, the representation of women in PUCSC leadership has been disproportionately low historically. Only one female student, Kanupriya, has held the position of PUCSC president during the 2018-19 session. Expressing her thoughts on the initiative, Kanupriya mentioned, "While I am excited about this move, it seems too good to be true. PU elections are held as per the Lyngdoh Panel Guidelines, and it remains to be seen how this reservation will be included while keeping with these guidelines. PU has made such promises in the past and not kept them."
She also emphasized the need for caste-based reservation within the female quota to prevent upper-caste female students from disproportionately benefiting. Additionally, the potential for party politics involving the use of women candidates for votes without genuine empowerment is a concern. As found in the case of Ranmeekjot Kaur, who won the vice-president seat in the last session, only to be disassociated from her party shortly after her election.
This initiative is much-needed as it aims to normalize the idea of a career in politics for women. With numerous challenges yet to overcome, it's an exciting time for women students at Panjab University!
- The innovative move by Panjab University to reserve one of the four key office-bearer positions in the PUCSC for women starting from the 2025-26 session is a significant step towards gender equity in campus politics.
- The vice-chancellor, Renu Vig, has confirmed the implementation of these recommendations from the next academic session, making Panjab University the first of its kind in implementating such a policy.
- Professor Nandita Singh, who led the committee established to overhaul the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing student elections, had proposed this reservation for women in response to the pending call for such a measure.
- As the first female student to hold the position of PUCSC president during the 2018-19 session, Kanupriya expressed her excitement about the move but also raised concerns about how the Lyngdoh Panel Guidelines will be adjusted to incorporate the reservation and prevent potential party politics.
- Kanupriya also called for caste-based reservation within the female quota to ensure fair representation, citing the need to prevent upper-caste female students from disproportionately benefiting from the policy.
