Interview: NSUI chief Varun Choudhary vows to restore student elections in Karnataka, Telangana

He has been associated with the NSUI for the past decade, serving in various capacities.

He has also won a gold medal at the IAYP (International Award for Young People), which is bestowed by a UK-based organisation.

Excerpts from the Interview:

Q: What will be the role of NSUI in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?

A: The NSUI’s role in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be significant. We have numerous responsibilities, especially considering the events of the last decade.

Firstly, regarding the Agnipath scheme, I’m not fully informed about its current status, particularly in southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

It’s alarming that this scheme was initiated by the prime minister, who served as the Gujarat chief minister for about 15 years and has been at the Centre for 10 years. He claims that our soldiers will retire in four years. This is blatant hypocrisy from the BJP.

The Congress leadership has instructed our organisation that if elected to power, we will immediately abolish the Agnipath scheme. We are confident that the party will come to power in 2024.

Secondly, approximately 2 lakh students who applied for army recruitment just before the introduction of the Agnipath scheme had completed all procedures, including medical and physical tests. The scheme was introduced suddenly, requiring these aspirants to undergo new tests to join the army. This was a disaster.

We have a government in power that is insensitive to the defence affairs of the country. Those youngsters who aspire to join the army are not interested in corporate jobs under the likes of Adani and Ambani.

The government deceived these aspirants who would have been proud to serve as soldiers. The BJP betrayed the country. If the government fails to understand the defence and patriotism of the country, then it is merely engaging in false drama.

The BJP’s Karnataka MLAs are causing a lot of disturbance by claiming to be patriots and chanting slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. They should be ashamed. They should first apologise to Bharat Mata. One can play around with slogans, but not with the defence of the country.

Another issue is first-time voters, especially those in their first year of graduation. We have observed that the Karnataka government organised a mega job fair for two days, with over 600 companies participating and offering over 1 lakh jobs. We are on the right track.

During the Assembly polls, we promised employment to the youth of Karnataka and made several other commitments, especially for youngsters. We are showcasing the achievements of the Congress in Karnataka to the entire country.

There is nothing among BJP leaders that addresses the concerns of the youth. India is the youngest country in the world, and they are playing with the lives of the youth, evident from recent paper leak scams and the PSI recruitment scam in Karnataka. There is hardly any recruitment happening, whether in the government or private sector.

Even when job openings are announced, they are marred by paper leaks. In the railways, the Central government should have notified around 1 lakh jobs, but it is issuing notifications for a mere 2,000-3,000 posts, and sometimes even fewer.

Youngsters who might have voted for Modi in 2014 feel cheated now. We have also witnessed a sea of youngsters, especially students, participating and expressing their views in the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Also Read: College fest postponed as NSUI protests invite to right-wing activist

Q: Why should anyone join the NSUI or first-time voters pick the Congress?

A: I am confident that about 90 percent of youngsters will vote for the Congress in the upcoming elections because the BJP is crushing their dreams.

Will the future of youngsters become brighter by spreading hatred, considering the significant divisions in gender, caste, and religion?

Under the BJP’s regime, even youngsters are afraid and hesitant to propose to their loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

Can you imagine an 18-year-old being afraid to celebrate Valentine’s Day in this country?

Youngsters are hesitant to celebrate the festival of love. The BJP is not only shattering the dreams of youngsters but also killing them.

Also Read: Students protest in Hyderabad after woman ends life over ‘TSPSC exam delay’

Q: Which universities are the top priorities of the NSUI?

A: As the new national president of the NSUI, I have prioritised visits to various universities across the country. Over the past 50 days, I visited 18-19 Central universities in 17 states.

The universities I have identified — totalling 150, including both state and Central institutions — are significant targets for our engagement.

During my visits, I have observed a palpable energy among the students, who are increasingly vocal in their opposition to the BJP, particularly Prime Minister Modi.

This enthusiasm fuels my determination as I witness the fervent dissent within the university campuses.

Also Read: Setback for BJP-JDS combine as Congress wins MLC bypoll in Karnataka

Q: With the ABVP approaching students with agenda such as Hindutva pride and cultural nationalism, does the NSUI have an ideological counter to it?

A: The ideology we uphold emphasises secularism and equality. If Lord Ram were alive today, he would likely speak out against the injustices perpetrated by the BJP. As far as I know, Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest love this country has ever known. Who could be a greater devotee of Lord Rama than Mahatma Gandhi?

Mahatma Gandhi might be watching us today, witnessing how a country blessed with vast diversity and aspirations is being divided between the North and the South, even along linguistic lines. Can you imagine?

If you were to visit Delhi or Uttar Pradesh, you might find yourself uncomfortable, especially in states governed by the BJP.

Moreover, they seem to engage in widespread colour discrimination, as evident from their social media posts — particularly those of ABVP.

Consider Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh, renowned worldwide. A gang rape was reported there, allegedly involving members of the BJP IT Cell. Instead of promptly arresting the perpetrators, the BJP chose to file cases against NSUI members who called for their immediate arrest. Due to the Madhya Pradesh election, these accused individuals remained free for two months. Their photos were even circulated on social media.

It is unprecedented in this country for criminals to be shielded while those who speak out against such atrocities are persecuted.

For instance, why are cases being registered against AICC former chief and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and others? Simply because they speak out against the injustices of the BJP.

I also take pride in the fact that Karnataka is the first state to oppose and reject the National Education Policy (NEP). The inherent flaw in this new education policy is its tendency to push the education system towards privatisation. Upon deeper examination, one may observe that in the future, Bangalore University could even be renamed Adani University due to the substantial loans they receive.

One should also examine the recruitment process for professor and teacher positions at Delhi University, Hyderabad University, and other Central universities.

In the past, it was the students who protested for their rights. Now, even professors and teachers are taking to the streets to protest against the government.

Also Read: Shivakumar hopeful of Congress win in coastal Karnataka this Lok Sabha polls

Q: Do you agree that the NSUI has lost ground to organisations such as the ABVP, the SFI, and the CYSS on campus?

A: No! We secured one seat at Delhi University and have also made significant gains in various states. For instance, we achieved a sweeping victory in the student union polls in Assam. Overall, it’s apparent that the BJP harbours disdain for student politics.

Take, for instance, MP Tejasvi Surya, the youthful BJP representative from Bengaluru South. What has he accomplished over the past five years? His actions seem solely focused on provoking people in the name of religion. He talks incessantly about religion but fails to promote unity.

Contrast this with the principles of Lord Ram, who believed in bringing people together, not tearing them apart. The BJP and Narendra Modi stand against the values of Lord Ram in choosing to spread hatred across the nation. Lord Ram advocated for love and unity, principles that seem lost on them.

During my interactions with numerous youngsters, I have found that they admire Lord Ram but also desire a promising future. They seek employment opportunities and a conducive environment. In fact, many students I’ve spoken to expressed hesitation in celebrating Valentine’s Day.

The BJP seems intent on dictating not only the attire and language of the youth but potentially even declaring which languages are acceptable in certain regions. Modi’s rhetoric implies that individuals should conform to his directives in all aspects of life, from attire to investments in Adani’s ventures.

The BJP’s fear is palpable; it worries about facing backlash from students who feel deceived. In contrast, we in the Congress take pride in our initiative to provide Yuva Nidhi to unemployed youths who struggle to find jobs three years after graduation.

It’s essential for the government to support the aspirations of young people. If we don’t fulfil their needs, who will? That’s why we’re actively engaging with students, launching membership drives aimed at attracting thousands of youngsters.

Also Read: How Karnataka leaders won Telangana for Congress

Q: Despite the Congress being in power in Karnataka and Telangana, student union elections have been banned in state universities. What’s the NSUI’s stand on it?

A: We are advocating for the reinstatement of student union elections in Karnataka and Telangana’s state universities. We have engaged in discussions with the chief ministers of both states regarding this matter. We are even prepared to stage protests to emphasise the importance of this issue.

Coming from a student background and as the youngest secretary of the Delhi University Student Union, I understand the significance of student leadership in our country.

We are determined to meet both chief ministers personally to present a memorandum outlining our stance. I am optimistic about the outcome of our efforts.