Should FSU polls have political or academic focus?

By Arpana Adhikari,Kathmandu, Apr. 6: Free Student Union (FSU) elections to elect their leadership for a two-year term were held in Tribhuvan University’s constituent and affiliated campuses across Nepal on March 18.

However, the voting was suspended in 15 of 62 constituent campuses of TU due to disputes among student wings affiliated with different political parties.  

Most FSU seats across campuses were won by political party-affiliated student wings, though a few independent candidates also managed to secure victories, including at Pulchowk Engineering Campus. The rival student organisations even forged electoral alliances, which used to be rare in the past. 

A few campuses had to postpone their annual exams because of the FSU elections. 

Talking about the importance of NSU election and political affiliations of student wings, TU Rector Dr. Khadga Bahadur KC said that while the election was largely peaceful this time, most of the disruptions and conflicts were caused by politically trained student wings. 

Highlighting the disruption in classes due to the FSU election and student wing disputes, he said that the university’s primary responsibility was to conduct academic activities, not to be entangled in FSU elections and consensus building. However, significant energy is being directed toward this. 

Dr. KC said, “I don’t want to comment much on the matter, but there is a growing realisation that politically driven student elections need to be widely discussed.”

However, both political and student leaders believe that the Student Union plays a crucial role in educational institutions by fostering democratic values, enhancing leadership skills and ensuring that the students’ interests are effectively represented. 

Newly elected FSU President at Nepal Commerce Campus, Minbhawan, from ANNSFU, Bishal Rokaha, emphasised the importance of a well-structured organisation in democracy that carries ideology. 

He acknowledged the significance of individual student leaders within organisations, but stressed that change could not be achieved by a single person. “An organisation, with its collective ideology and people, helps establish and address agendas within educational institutions and the nation as a whole,” he said.

Commenting on the disputes and class disruptions across campuses due to FSU elections, Rokaha held universities responsible for the lapses in conducting the elections.

“The situation would not have arisen had there been clear and stricter regulations governing the elections. The process should not be influenced by interests of individuals, the administration or anyone within it,” he said

He warned that failing to hold FSU elections weakens the institution that represents students’ collective concerns. 

“People often see only the politics in FSU but overlook its responsibilities. Strong leadership with a clear ideology is crucial for Free Student Union,” he added. 

Talking with The Rising Nepal, former Foreign Minister and Nepali Congress lawmaker Narayan Prakash (NP) Saud, said, “The Free Student Union election was the result of a long struggle by the students. The FSU elections help the new generation take responsibility for politics and the nation.”

Saud, who once served as NSU president, added, “The student union also helps develop democratic culture and pass it on to the next generation. These are the positive aspects of the FSU election.”

He noted that the student movement had helped students understand the issues of their class and develop leadership to address those problems. 

“We have a history where students fought against the contemporary regressive power and its efforts to ban political parties and various political movements,” he said.  

“With changing times, the priorities of students have shifted. Students should now focus more on academic and class-related issues, such as improving the quality of 

education, updating curricula on time and creating a conducive environment for academic activities, instead of focusing solely on national issues,” said Saud. 

However, in recent times, student unions have become more aligned with political parties, prioritising political agendas and fostering ideological divisions, rather than advocating for students’ interests, he added. 

“Student leaders are now more focused on using FSU and its funds for personal development rather than for students’ rights, which has disrupted the academic environment of universities and campuses,” he said. “This is a deviation from the original goal of the student movement.”

However, Bir Bahadur Balayar, NC leader and former NSU president at TU Central Campus, he refused to comment on the issue. 

He stated that the core objective of the FSU is to serve the class interests. 

Likewise, Jagannath Khatiwada, now Deputy General Secretary and Chief of the Publicity Department of the CPN (Unified Socialist), who was elected FSU president in TU central campus in 1992, said that student unions are vital in advocating for students’ rights, particularly in shaping education policy and its implementation.

He argued that effective education policies cannot be formulated without political engagement. However, he underscored the importance of a constructive approach, requiring collaboration between teachers, students and parents to drive meaningful educational reforms.

He pointed out that education reform should be a key agenda for FSU. However, student unions have strayed from this objective, often failing to distinguish between political activism and academic priorities.

“Educational institutions play a crucial role in fostering nationalism, sovereignty and civic values, shaping future generations with patriotic and ethical foundations. As a result, education policies must align with these principles, reinforcing their political connection,” he said.

Despite this link, student unions must remain within their institutional boundaries, focusing primarily on academic development, he said.