26th March 2024, Kathmandu
The Nepal Student Union has started a relay hunger strike at Gramin Aadarsha Multiple Campus, located in Nepal Tar, Tarkeshwar Municipality, Kathmandu.
Nepal Student Union Hunger Strike
This protest is aimed at ensuring the Student Union Election takes place on the campus. The hunger strike, which began on Wednesday, calls for immediate action to hold the election.
The elections for the Student Union were scheduled by Tribhuvan University for 18 March 2025. However, the elections did not take place on that date as planned.
Mahesh Mani Paudel, the president of the NSU campus unit, stated that the delay in the election is due to several excuses made by the administration. These excuses have effectively prevented the election from happening. Sultan Mia, the NSU’s candidate for SWC President, is participating in the hunger strike. Paudel criticized the situation, saying, “Our organization was on track to win the election. However, different tactics have been used to prevent it. We demand the election to ensure students’ rights.”
Paudel further called for the university to release an official election schedule and to implement the Student Union Election directive. Sultan Mia, the NSU candidate for Student Union Election President, is currently participating in the relay hunger strike to demand the election. “We want the election to happen to secure the rights of students. If our demands continue to be ignored and if tactics are used to block the election, we will be forced to begin an indefinite hunger strike,” Mia warned.
The NSU is not only asking for the election schedule to be announced but also for the enforcement of the SWC election directive. This would guarantee the voting rights of students, which they believe have been neglected for too long.
Rural Adarsha Multipurpose Campus, which has a long history, has not held the Student Union Election since 2008. This year, even though the election preparations were complete, the NSU accused the campus administration of intentionally blocking the process. The administration has failed to organize the election, leading to frustration among students.
The NSU believes the failure to hold elections is a deliberate attempt to maintain control and suppress student participation. “We were ready for the elections, but the campus administration kept making excuses,” Paudel added. He emphasized that the administration must act swiftly and announce the election schedule.
The NSU has made it clear that if the campus administration does not address their concerns and hold the election, the protests will intensify. Sultan Mia, the NSU’s candidate, warned that an indefinite hunger strike could follow if the demands are ignored. “We will continue our struggle until our voices are heard,” Mia said.
The NSU’s protest has gained attention among students who feel their rights are being disregarded. The issue of delayed elections at the Rural Adarsha Campus has become a significant topic, with many students supporting the NSU’s call for an immediate and fair election.
In conclusion, the NSU’s relay hunger strike highlights the growing dissatisfaction among students regarding the delay in the SWC election. The union is pushing for the university to take responsibility and ensure the election takes place. If their demands are not met, they are prepared to escalate the protest with an indefinite hunger strike. The NSU continues to advocate for the rights of students and the importance of holding the election without further delay.
For more: Nepal Student Union Hunger Strike