{"id":15035,"date":"2025-09-24T03:07:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T03:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/from-iconic-red-to-rising-saffron-how-abvps-360-nationalism-is-reshaping-campus-politics-for-gen-z-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T03:07:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T03:07:04","slug":"from-iconic-red-to-rising-saffron-how-abvps-360-nationalism-is-reshaping-campus-politics-for-gen-z-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/from-iconic-red-to-rising-saffron-how-abvps-360-nationalism-is-reshaping-campus-politics-for-gen-z-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"From Iconic Red To Rising Saffron: How ABVP\u2019s ‘360\u00b0 Nationalism’ Is Reshaping Campus Politics For Gen Z | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The ABVP\u2019s recent victories signal a growing acceptance of its nationalist narrative and political vocabulary among students, rooted in the larger churn of Indian politics<\/h2>\n
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The 2025 DUSU contest saw fierce competition, but ABVP\u2019s candidate emerged victorious as president and the organisation captured three out of four key posts. (File Photo)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Power play through art and culture, social causes, entrepreneurship drives, and a brand of nationalism pitched as the \u201cantibiotic” to ideological \u201cinfection” spread by the \u201cforces with ulterior motives”<\/span>\u2014<\/span>this is how the Akhil <\/span>Bharatiya<\/span>\u00a0Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP<\/a>), student wing of the RSS, is remaking India\u2019s campus politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past week, the winning spree of the Akhil <\/span>Bharatiya<\/span> Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, has been steadily pushing the \u201cred”\u00a0(SFI) and Left-leaning student organisations in some of the prominent educational institutions to the margins as saffron is seizing the student stage. The recent case being that of Panjab University, where ABVP, for the first time, won the position of the union president. And in another instance, the student organisation also won at Hyderabad Central University after a gap of nine years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ABVP seems to be steadily displacing the enigmatic \u201cred”\u00a0in India\u2019s student politics. From Jawaharlal Nehru University to Hyderabad Central University, the latter once the epicentre of outrage, protests and an intense anti-casteism movement after Rohith Vemula\u2019s death, the ABVP is scripting a winning spree, remaking student union rooms long dominated by the Left\u2019s SFI and other Left-centric or Left-dominated factions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The shift is more than just electoral arithmetic, while it appears to be a more ideological realignment than before. For decades, SFI and other Left-affiliated groups had been synonymous with campus politics, shaping debates on caste, class, gender, social structure and political ideas. However, the ABVP\u2019s recent victories signal a growing acceptance of its nationalist narrative and political vocabulary among students, rooted in the larger churn of Indian politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Hyderabad Central University, where the suicide of Dalit PhD scholar Rohith Vemula in 2016 sparked nationwide protests and gave Left outfits a renewed moral voice, ABVP\u2019s comeback, at least after nine years, reflects the waning hold of the red banner.<\/span><\/p>\n

The saffron surge is visible in the changed aesthetics of union offices, the slogans that dominate walls, and the agendas being pushed, which include issues spanning from cultural nationalism to employability and development.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are contrarian views, while some critics argue that the <\/span>saffronisation<\/span>\u00a0of campuses risks shrinking spaces for dissent and critical discourse. And, a section of supporters counters, stating that it reflects a generation unwilling to remain tethered to \u201cobsolete Left rhetoric” and instead seeking a more assertive national identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

A 360\u00b0 Model of Activism<\/span><\/h4>\n

Not only in political activism, but ABVP has spread its network across the cultural, social and economic spectrum. Speaking with News18, Virendra Singh Solanki, the national general secretary of the ABVP, said that the organisation has 13 affiliated forums that work in all aspects of society, which include sports, culture, service, entrepreneurship, environment and other related issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike purely political, left-leaning student unions like SFI and AISA that work as the wings of political parties, often promoting negativity without direction, ABVP <\/span>karyakartas<\/span> are deeply involved in real, ground-level work focusing on individual development (<\/span>Vyakti<\/span> Nirman<\/span>) as the foundation for nation-building (Rashtra <\/span>Nirman<\/span>). Our members do not have anything to do with the BJP, and our organisation is an RSS affiliate. This is not a new effort; it is a continuous process of grooming committed, skilled youth who contribute meaningfully,” said Solanki.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNationalism is the antibiotic that stops the infection of ideological confusion. I feel that the Gen Z population is psychologically evolved, deeply informed, and cannot be misguided; their growing acceptance of ABVP reflects a shift toward meaningful, service-based activism over empty ideological noise,” he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaborating on the forums that ABVP has, Solanki said, \u201cWith 13 functional wings which include Khelo Bharat to Rastriya Kala Manch, from Saaviskar (for entrepreneurship) to Students For Seva and ABVP Overseas in 57 countries, the organisation is redefining student activism across borders, grounded in culture, development, entrepreneurship, and global youth diplomacy.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The Spread<\/span><\/h4>\n

The 2025 student union elections across India have marked a watershed moment for campus politics, with the ABVP making a dent in the existing political structure in multiple universities. This election cycle saw milestones for both ABVP and the rise of women leaders in student governance.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the data available with the organisation, Patna University saw a historic breakthrough unfold as a woman clinched the president\u2019s seat for the first time since the university\u2019s inception. Breaking long-standing barriers, the newly elected leader hails from ABVP, reflecting not only a step forward for gender representation but also being the organisation\u2019s maiden victory for the president post. The top three positions, including the president, general secretary, and treasurer, are now held by women, signalling a transformative shift in leadership dynamics and inclusivity on campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Panjab University\u2019s outcome is equally significant, where ABVP secured the president\u2019s post for the first time since direct student elections began in 1977. This achievement shows evolving campus narratives and the organisation\u2019s growing traction among the student community.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Jawaharlal Nehru University, a traditionally left-leaning and fiercely contested space, ABVP staged a notable comeback after almost a decade, capturing the joint secretary position along with 23 councillor seats, which is now seen as its strongest performance in years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The University of Hyderabad witnessed a clean sweep by ABVP after a gap of eight years, with the organisation taking all major posts. This result points to a strategic resurgence of ABVP in southern campuses, traditionally known for their diverse political discourse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Delhi University Students\u2019 Union elections further cemented the organisation\u2019s dominant streak. Out of the past ten presidential elections, ABVP has won the president\u2019s seat eight times, including this year. The 2025 contest saw fierce competition, but ABVP\u2019s candidate emerged victorious as president and the organisation captured three out of four key posts, highlighting their organisational strength. Only the vice-presidential post went to a rival student group, emphasising the shifting landscape but ABVP\u2019s continued relevance. Now, these victories collectively reflect a dynamic transition in India\u2019s student politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Madhuparna Das<\/a><\/p>\n

Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n
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September 24, 2025, 13:30 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

News<\/a> politics<\/a> From Iconic Red To Rising Saffron: How ABVP\u2019s ‘360\u00b0 Nationalism’ Is Reshaping Campus Politics For Gen Z<\/span><\/div>\n
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