The upcoming JNUSU elections at Jawaharlal Nehru University have taken an emotional turn with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) announcing Umesh Chandra Ajmeera as their Presidential candidate. Umesh’s story is not just one of political ambition but of personal loss and resilience. Hailing from Warangal, Telangana, Umesh’s childhood was marked by tragedy when his father was killed by Naxalites in 1997, and his mother passed away soon after, overwhelmed by grief and the forced conversion of her faith.
Despite these adversities, Umesh’s determination led him to JNU, where he found a supportive community within the ABVP. His rise to the position of President of ABVP’s JNU unit and now a Presidential candidate in the central council for the JNUSU elections is a testament to his strength and the ABVP’s commitment to inclusivity, representing diverse societal facets, including his Adivasi Banjara (ST) background.
Umesh’s candidacy sends a powerful message against Naxalite violence and for social justice. With ABVP fielding candidates from Dalit, Adivasi, and women communities, they aim to represent the entire spectrum of society. The panel’s dedication to women’s inclusion is evident, with nearly half of the 42 councillor posts being represented by women.
Reflecting on his journey, Umesh says, “My father was a victim of the Naxalite attacks when I was still a child and my mother was forced to abandon her religion. She died within a few days unable to cope up with the trauma. I came in contact with ABVP when I joined JNU for higher education. They welcomed me and made me their own. Moreover, when the JNU Students’ Union election notification arrived, they announced me as their Presidential candidate in their Central Panel. I strive to meet the expectations of ABVP in all the ways possible and am taking forward ABVP’s positive work to every single student of the institution.”