These days, as one walks down Chhatra Marg in Delhi University ‘s North Campus, it is hard to miss the rows of black SUVs with students sitting on car roofs. Look down, and another campaign feature stands out – small, handwritten name cards being distributed among students.
The shift comes after the university tightened campaign rules, including restrictions on pamphlets and other printed material that could litter public spaces or damage university property. “Short-duration content, also known as reels and shorts, has found an appeal in students and contestants. As campaigning intensifies ahead of the September 18 Delhi University Students’ Union ( DUSU ) elections, handwritten flyers and visiting-card-sized campaign slips are making a comeback, with members of both the ABVP and National Students’ Union of India ( NSUI ) turning to their cadres and student networks to get them written. The DU proctor has asked principals of all 54 colleges to create two such walls, each measuring 10×10 feet — one for DUSU-related campaigning and another for college-level elections, according to the officials.
“One of our friends from Campus Law Centre helped us get more than 200 cards,” another student said. Many contestants have dedicated social media teams which make this content,” a Campus Law Centre student said. The Proctor’s Office said the restrictions followed concerns over violations of Delhi High Court and Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, as well as traffic congestion caused by campaign vehicles on Chhatra Marg and University Road.
