The Delhi government announced plans to build hostels for 10,000 students, a move that sparked a dispute between the Congress‑affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the RSS‑backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The announcement came two days before the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections and shortly after a five‑storey paying‑guest building collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people, including university students.
NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar demanded details on the proposed hostels, asking where they would be located, the implementation timeline, budget, fee structure and eligibility criteria. Jakhar said the government should provide a transparent, time‑bound plan rather than issuing an announcement without substantive information. He also raised concerns that the timing of the announcement could influence student voters ahead of the DUSU polls.
ABVP Delhi state secretary Sarthak Sharma countered that NSUI was politicising the issue, citing the party’s earlier criticism of hostel shortages and its recent questioning of the new announcement. Sharma highlighted the Congress party’s long record in Delhi and asked what steps had been taken to improve student accommodation during that period. He reiterated ABVP’s demand for increased hostel capacity and safe, affordable accommodation.
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a march at Delhi University, with national president Uday Bhanu Chib urging the government and university administration to deliver on promises and provide dignified housing for students, especially those from economically weaker families who are forced to spend a large share of their income on private accommodation.
Campaigning for the DUSU elections ends on Wednesday. Voting will be held on September 18, with the count scheduled for September 19.
