Jaipur: In a creative and thought-provoking demonstration, student leader Shubham Rewad staged a unique protest at Rajasthan University to demand the restoration of student union elections. As the state government continues to delay the elections despite growing opposition, Rewad used life-sized cutouts of prominent political leaders who began their journeys in student politics to make a powerful statement.
By placing these cutouts across the university campus, Shubham Rewad highlighted the crucial role of student unions in shaping leaders who have gone on to represent the people in state and national politics. He emphasized that such leaders, who started from university campuses, understand ground realities and raise the voice of the oppressed and marginalized.
Rewad criticized the government's stance, saying, “This government claims student elections are not important, which is why they are not being held. But in truth, student unions produce strong representatives who stand by students from even the most remote villages and help address their problems.
He further explained that during their student activism, these future leaders get firsthand exposure to the real issues faced by youth and society. When they eventually reach the state assemblies or Parliament, they carry those grassroots issues with them and work for their resolution. In contrast, leaders who enter politics through dynastic privilege often remain disconnected from the struggles of ordinary youth and are more focused on enjoying the power they inherit.
Rewad concluded by saying, “If we truly want the voices and concerns of common students and youth to reach the top, student union elections are not just important — they are essential.”
The protest served as a stark reminder of how student politics has historically produced committed and impactful leaders, reinforcing the growing demand among youth to reinstate student union elections across Rajasthan.