PUSU general secretary refuses to take oath over hostel issue

The newly elected general secretary, Saloni Raj, caused a stir at the Patna University Students' Union (PUSU) oath-taking ceremony by declining to take the oath on the subject of the reopening of the student boys' dorms. Since students are still not permitted to live in dorms, I will not be taking the oath. My triumph is not solely mine. My brothers' victory is a result of their support for me. There was unrest even for the PUSU polls, and one of the requests was that hostel allocation be given priority.

As the students applauded, she declared from the dais, "I will not take oath until the hostels are opened." Despite the fact that many students come from outside, the PU hostels have been shuttered since November due to instability and have not been reopened. The university is losing money while the students are struggling.

When various student organizations met with the Chancellor in October of last year, the hostel problem was also on the agenda. However, the remaining members of the PUSU central panel took an oath of office. At the historic Wheeler Senate Hall, a sizable student body assembled for the oath ceremony.