Who is Dhananjay? JNU Student Union’s first Dalit President after 1996

The Left party achieved a decisive victory in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students’ Union Election, securing victory in all four seats. The polling for the JNUSU elections took place on Friday, March 22, this year, marking the restoration of JNU’s student union after a hiatus of four years.

Dhananjay, representing the Left, emerged as the President, prevailing over ABVP’s Umesh Chandra Ajmeera. Dhananjay garnered 2598 votes and was officially declared the victor by Shailendra Kumar, the Chairperson of the Election Committee at JNU.

Who is Dhananjay?
Dhananjay, a PhD scholar hailing from Bihar’s Gaya, is affiliated with the School of Arts and Aesthetics.

Notably, Dhananjay is the first Dalit individual to hold the position of JNUSU president since Batti Lal Bairwa, who secured victory in 1996.

In an interview following his success in the JNUSU polls, Dhananjay emphasized that the outcome serves as a resounding rejection of divisive and violent political tactics. He remarked, “This victory signifies the students’ collective stance against the politics of hatred and aggression… The students have chosen the Left amidst governmental deceit and budgetary slashes.”

Furthermore, Dhananjay expressed gratitude for the students’ renewed faith in their leadership. He pledged to steadfastly advocate for their rights and address pertinent student-related issues.

As the newly elected president of JNU’s student union, Dhananjay outlined key focal points, including advocating for increased scholarships, enhancing campus safety for women, combating budget cuts, and addressing infrastructural and water supply challenges.