No matter how deep the darkness of night is, just as the light of dawn removes all darkness and brings a new morning, similarly, after a long wait, the JnUCSU election has ignited a new light of hope in the hearts of Jagannath University students. For years, the voices that were suppressed, the problems that remained confined within walls, JnUCSU has appeared as the first crack in that wall of silence. However, an election is not merely an event; it is the beginning of a responsibility. Proper fulfillment of this responsibility can take Jagannath University to a new peak of success, whereas negligence may bring a curse upon Jagannath.
The JnUCSU election is essentially a democratic process to ensure representation of Jagannath University students. Through their votes, students elect representatives who will present students’ problems, demands, and interests before the administration. As JnUCSU remained inactive for a long time, many student issues had no direct platform to be expressed. The bridge of communication that was supposed to exist between the administration and students had effectively collapsed. Day after day, Jagannath students carried out movements and struggles under the scorching sun and in pouring rain. Countless of their demands remained stuck behind the closed doors of the administration. Sometimes only nominal concessions were achieved, and sometimes not even that, leaving promises written only in the ledger of dues. JnUCSU had become a heartfelt demand of Jagannath students. In this reality, the JnUCSU election was not just a necessity for Jagannath, but a demand of time itself.
The list of problems faced by Jagannath University students is nothing new. The housing crisis is the biggest issue. Against thousands of students, there are only a few halls. As a result, most students are forced to live in unsafe and expensive messes or rented houses. The transportation crisis is also severe returning home safely after classes is a daily concern for many students. Students leave their homes at the break of dawn. Whether they have work or not, they have to wait until evening to return home. The reason is simple the shortage of transport. Besides this, lack of library facilities, insufficient classrooms, session delays, weak medical services, and campus security issues together make students’ daily lives difficult. Although students raise complaints individually on these issues, the absence of an effective collective platform to speak out has long been felt.
Jagannath University students often could not stand up to their problems because, on one hand, there was no proper channel of communication with the administration. The student representatives who did exist often failed to raise genuine student issues due to personal interests or political identities. As a result, students’ only option was to silently endure their suffering. On the other hand, infrastructural limitations are also a major problem. The number of halls is insufficient, classrooms are limited, library books and seating capacity are inadequate. Lack of cleanliness, inadequate security measures, and difficulty in receiving emergency medical services from the hospital are common. Moreover, due to diverse student problems, it becomes difficult to unite and raise a collective voice in favor of demands. All these factors combined leave students frustrated, isolated, and insecure. Many students also believe that the administration will not pay attention to their complaints. As a result, problems become prolonged and students’ trust diminishes. Students understand that to solve any major problem, individual complaints alone are not enough. what is needed is an active student union that can unite and speak strongly on behalf of students.
Through JnUCSU, pathways to resolving many of these issues can be created. Firstly, regarding the housing crisis, JnUCSU can hold regular discussions with the administration to demand the construction of new halls and temporary accommodation arrangements. Secondly, to ensure student safety in transportation, it can propose specific bus routes, schedules, and campus-based transport systems. Thirdly, academic problems such as session delays, classroom shortages, lack of seminar books, projectors, speakers, etc. can be addressed by collecting department-wise data and presenting it to the administration. Additionally, arrangements can be made for qualified doctors for student medical care, supply of necessary medicines, and initiatives for campus cleanliness.
Most importantly, JnUCSU can become a permanent and respectful platform for students to voice their complaints, where no one will have to be afraid to speak.
Students’ expectations from JnUCSU are very simple, yet profound. They do not want it to be limited to posters, rallies, and slogans. They want JnUCSU to be a true representative of students’ real lives. The first responsibility of the elected JnUCSU representatives is to rise above their political identities and think as students. To stand beside students, not beside power. Regular meetings with students, listening to their problems, and updating them on progress this transparency will build trust in JnUCSU. They should avoid using JnUCSU for personal gain or as a ladder for future politics. Instead, they should transform JnUCSU into an institution that students can rely on. If JnUCSU truly remains active, then no student demand will go unheard in the future.
