While discussing the Italian neorealism movement and the Indian Parallel Cinema movement, the sole female presidential candidate at Panjab University, Chandigarh, raised a thought-provoking question. She expressed her astonishment that in an institution with a 70 percent female student population, she stands as the lone woman contending for the top position in the upcoming student body elections slated for September 6. In her view, this discrepancy speaks volumes about the prevailing attitudes within various political factions on campus.
The candidate, Manika, a Sociology Master's student representing PSU (Lalkar), perceives her candidacy as a reflection of the principles upheld by her organization, where every member, regardless of gender, is offered equal opportunities in all aspects, embodying true democratic values.
While her fellow party members engage in campaign activities across hostels and departments, Manika emphasizes their policy of abstaining from vehicle use during the elections, emphasizing the need to eradicate the influence of money and muscle power. She asserts that their group, hailing from modest middle-class backgrounds, empathizes with the challenges faced by ordinary students.
Manika firmly declares her post-campus plans, highlighting her ambition to pursue an academic career rather than venturing into politics. She observes that, for many candidates, these student elections serve as a stepping stone to a political career, with little apparent interest in advocating for much-needed reforms within the university. Her candidacy and principled stance shed light on the larger issues surrounding student politics and gender representation at Panjab University.