Danish Ali, Hafsa Bukhari, and Mohammad Aslam represent courage, resilience, and commitment to social causes, noted a senior faculty member at the university
NEW DELHI – The Left alliance has won all four major positions in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student union elections this year. The elections saw a decisive defeat for the ABVP, the student wing of the BJP, with Aditi Mishra elected President, K Gopika Babu as Vice President, Sunil Yadav as General Secretary, and Danish Ali securing the post of Joint Secretary.
Besides Danish Ali, the notable winners are two Muslim students, Hafsa Bukhari and Mohammad Aslam, a visually impaired scholar from Bihar, who won councilor positions. Their victories have been hailed as a significant step towards inclusivity, representation, and justice on campus.
Danish Ali, a research scholar at JNU’s Centre for Historical Studies, defeated ABVP candidate Anuj to win the Joint Secretary post. Hailing from Narsinghpur in Madhya Pradesh, Danish comes from a family dedicated to education; her father is a retired teacher, and her mother serves as the principal of a government school. She graduated in history from Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University.
“During the 2019 CAA protests, I worked to mobilise students and stand up for equality,” said Danish Ali. “This victory is not just mine; it is for every student who believes in justice, democratic values, and the right to dissent.”
Hijab-observing Hafsa Bukhari from Poonch also made history by winning a councilor seat, becoming one of the two Muslim women elected this year. Her victory reflects growing student support for gender equality and minority representation within the JNU student body.
Mohammad Aslam’s story is particularly inspiring. Despite being visually impaired, he has been a steadfast advocate for student rights, equality, and democratic values throughout his academic journey. A PhD scholar at JNU’s School of International Studies, Aslam has long championed policy reforms and raised his voice against injustice.
“As a student, I believe knowledge and education are tools for change,” said Mohammad Aslam. “I hope to represent the voices of students who face challenges, whether due to disability, marginalisation, or systemic neglect.”
Born in Tajpur in Bihar’s Samastipur, Aslam’s journey began in 2007 with the dream that education could transform lives. His educational path took him from Aligarh Muslim University, where he stood against oppression and tyranny, to Pondicherry University, where he led movements against administrative pressure. Aslam has also been a vocal supporter of Palestinian independence, participating in protests against Israeli policies.
“This election shows that students want leaders who fight for justice, equality, and the democratic spirit of India,” noted a senior faculty member at JNU. “Danish, Hafsa, and Aslam represent courage, resilience, and commitment to social causes.”
The sweeping victory of the Left alliance, combined with the rise of Muslim students to prominent positions, has been celebrated across campuses nationwide. Students expressed hope that the new union will work towards a more inclusive and just environment at JNU.
“Winning this election is a responsibility, not just an achievement,” said Danish Ali. “We will work tirelessly to ensure student voices are heard and rights are protected.”
The JNU administration congratulated the newly elected students and reaffirmed its commitment to providing a safe and equitable environment for all students, regardless of background, faith, or ability.
