University of Hyderabad parties fight online

Social media has already become a battleground for various student political parties from the university even though the election dates are yet to be announced.

While the United Democratic Alliance, a coalition of four parties which was elected for the second time last year, is trying to retain its incumbency through communicating its achievements, the ABVP, which was in power for five years earlier, is trying hard to make a comeback. The Students Federation of India, meanwhile, is trying hard with the hashtag #bringbackSFI.

There are about eight-10 parties in the university. The UDA comprises the Ambedkar Students Association, National Students Union of India, Tribal Students Federation and Bahujan Students Front.

Members of various parties are airing their views on Facebook – from posting memes, trolling, slandering, making personal remarks, raising of campus as well as national issues, claiming ideological merit and even accusing rival parties of trying to woo voters with biryani, everything is apparently allowed.

Rather than talking about campus and students’ issues, bashing of rival parties and slandering form a major part of the online political campaigns.

For example, an online post by NSUI calls SFI students “Pseudo rats of HCU” and another by an SFI supporter calls ABVP leaders “Biryani dadas”.

Meanwhile, students say that parties were not releasing their manifestos as they were worried that rival parties would steal their ideas.

A post on Facebook by a student with profile name as Par Dhu summarises the feelings of the common students. “Everyone is busy in vilifying others.... People won’t vote you, if you keep on trying to project others’ flaws, instead tell what you are going to do...Stop cherry picking.... Plz come with ur manifestos. There are many unasked questions and unsolved problems in this campus,” it said.