Student's Fight for Election Inclusion

Key Points from the Article

Student Union Elections and Age Restrictions

• Nominee: Sandesh Shivkumar Sonkamble, 24, a final-year BA student at JNU.
• Disability: Lives with Osteogenesis Imperfecta; categorized under locomotor disability.
• Age Restrictions: Per Lyngdoh Committee guidelines:
  • Undergraduate candidates: 17-22 years
  • Postgraduate students: 24-25 years
  • PhD scholars: Up to 28 years
• Current Status: Mr. Sonkamble's age exceeds eligibility limits set by these guidelines.

Legal Framework and Rights

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016:
  • Provides age relaxation up to 5 years for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in higher education.
• Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT):
  • Offers a relaxation of 10 years in central recruitment, 15 years for SC/ST candidates.

Appeal Process

• Mr. Sonkamble has appealed to JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit for relaxation of the age limit for candidates with disabilities.
• JNUSU elections are conducted independently by a student-run Election Committee, which stated adherence to the guidelines is mandatory.
• Officials indicated that judicial intervention might be necessary for a policy change.

Social Background and Personal Challenges

• Family Background: Comes from a Dalit family in Maharashtra’s Latur district; faced social stigma and financial hardships during early education.
• Education Journey: Delayed schooling due to safety concerns; completed schooling at the age of 21.
• Living Conditions: Currently uses an electric wheelchair for mobility on campus; requires assistance for navigating JNU's challenging terrain.

Election Objectives

• Campaign Goals: If elected, Mr. Sonkamble aims to enhance accessibility at JNU—implementing ramps, lifts, and improved pathways for disabled students.
• Representation Concern: Highlights the lack of representation of students with disabilities in student unions and government, advocating for better visibility of their issues.

Legal Action

• Mr. Sonkamble is consulting lawyers to file a petition for greater age flexibility for students with disabilities in student elections, emphasizing that success could set a national precedent.

Conclusion

Mr. Sonkamble's situation underscores significant issues surrounding age restrictions for student electoral participation, accessibility for differently-abled persons in educational institutions, and the practical application of disability laws in India. His appeal and potential court action reflect ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities within academic and political frameworks.