Ankit Bidhan promises student welfare, academic reforms after victory

Spread the news

Bidhan secures 3,143 votes to defeat ASAP’s Aadil Brar by over 500 votes; Armaan Singh Bhinder elected vice-president with 1,532 votes

Chandigarh, September 1

After being elected for the

After being elected for the post of president of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), Ankit Bidhan said his focus would be on addressing campus grievances, improving student welfare facilities and pursuing reforms in research and academics. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) retained the president’s post of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) for the second consecutive year, with its candidate Bidhan winning the closely contested election on Monday. Bidhan secured 3,143 votes to defeat his nearest rival, ASAP candidate Aadil Brar, by more than 500 votes. A research scholar at Panjab University’s Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion, Bidhan emerged victorious in a contest involving candidates backed by several student organisations.

Talking to The North News, Rab Karan Singh, former Executive Council Member and Departmental Representative from the Department of Defence Studies and a member of Bhinder’s team, welcomed the result and said the PUDF would work towards fulfilling its five-point manifesto and delivering on the promises made during the election campaign. While Karandeep Singh an LLB student from the Department of Laws, stressed the need to make women’s safety a priority on campus. Referring to concerns over alleged eve-teasing incidents, he said the team planned to meet the Vice-Chancellor and security officials to discuss concrete measures to ensure a safer environment for women students.

The victory triggered celebrations among ABVP supporters at the Student Centre, where students gathered with dhol beats, slogans and victory marches. Armaan Singh Bhinder of the Urdu Department was elected vice-president of the student council. He secured 1,532 votes, while his nearest rival Akanksha polled 1,280 votes, giving him a margin of 252 votes.

Bhinder’s supporters also celebrated at the Student Centre following the announcement of the result. He said his priorities would include addressing hostel-related concerns, improving campus infrastructure, pursuing academic reforms and ensuring more responsive student representation.

The polling process was marked by a confrontation between students and police outside the Department of Laws. Students alleged that the department gate was closed before the polling deadline, preventing some students from casting their votes. The incident led to sloganeering and a protest outside the department.