Vinod Jakhar has been named the new president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) by the Congress. Previously, Jakhar held the position of Rajasthan University Students’ Union (RUSU) state president for two years. He made history in 2018 by becoming the first Dalit president of RUSU as an independent candidate.
This appointment is significant as no senior Rajasthan Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, who are prominent figures in the state, have ever reached the post of NSUI national president during their student political careers. Despite starting as the Rajasthan NSUI state president in 1974, Ashok Gehlot never ascended to the national president position. Similarly, Sachin Pilot, who transitioned to active politics through the Lok Sabha, also did not lead NSUI at the national level.
Vinod Jakhar’s journey to the top has been marked by challenges and perseverance. Initially denied a ticket by NSUI for the 2018 Rajasthan University Student Union elections, he contested independently and secured a historic victory. Recognizing his leadership capabilities, the organization later reinstated him, leading to his appointment as Rajasthan NSUI state president and now as the national president.
Hailing from a modest background in Viratnagar near Jaipur, Jakhar, without any political lineage, has emerged as an inspiration for students in Rajasthan. His appointment, as a Scheduled Caste (SC) candidate, is seen as a strategic move by the Congress leadership to enhance engagement with Dalit youth in Rajasthan and North India. The decision also conveys a message that the Congress is open to promoting grassroots workers to prominent positions, irrespective of their political backgrounds.
