Safety audit of every hostel, PG my first task, says new DUSU President Yash Dabas

Yash Dabas, who has been elected president of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU), has put student safety and accommodation at the centre of his immediate priorities, saying his first task will be to push for safety audits of hostels and paying guest (PG) facilities across the capital.

Dabas won the DUSU presidential election with 24,576 votes, defeating NSUI candidate Vijay Meena, who polled 22,523 votes. His victory helped the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) secure three of the four central-panel posts.

Speaking after the results, Dabas said student accommodation needed urgent attention, particularly in the wake of concerns over the safety of hostels and PG facilities.

"First, the safety audit of every PG and hostel should be done. And apart from that, the construction of new hostels should be done. Every college should have a girls' hostel. A helpline number should be issued," Dabas was quoted as saying by ANI.

He said expanding hostel capacity would also be a priority, particularly for women students who often depend on private accommodation because of limited hostel availability.

"The students will get a hostel. This will be our first task," Dabas said, reiterating his demand for safety checks and new hostel construction.

Satya Niketan collapse puts accommodation safety in focus

Dabas' emphasis on hostel and PG safety comes against the backdrop of the Satya Niketan building collapse, which became a major issue during the DUSU election campaign.

The five-storey paying guest building in Delhi collapsed on September 6 during renovation work, killing seven people, including five Delhi University students. Questions were subsequently raised over construction activity, including alleged unauthorised work and basement-related activity.

The incident brought renewed attention to the safety of student accommodation in the capital and intensified calls for stricter inspections and accountability.

Dabas said ABVP had continued its protest over the incident and demanded the resignation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi commissioner.

While announcing his priorities, however, Dabas did not specify a timeline, budget or detailed implementation mechanism for the proposed safety audits, hostels and helplines.

Dabas links DUSU result to Gen Z support

After his victory, Dabas described the election result as a sign of support among Gen Z students for ABVP and its political messaging.

"Today, the students of Delhi University have kicked them. And it has been shown that Gen Z's are with ABVP. Gen Z's are with nation," he said, referring to what he described as the rejection of a "fake narrative".

Dabas also described the result as a setback for Congress and NSUI, saying the election had answered questions about the political direction of Gen Z students.

On paper leak protests, Dabas defends ABVP

Dabas also defended ABVP's role in protests over examination paper leaks.

He said the organisation was among the first student groups to protest outside the National Testing Agency (NTA) office after the leak was reported. He also referred to ABVP's demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe and arrests in the case.

Dabas explains marksheet controversy

Dabas also addressed the marksheet controversy that had emerged around him, linking the difficult period to his father's prolonged hospitalisation.

"At that time, my priority was my family. Because, I am with them. They are the ones who have helped me reach here," he said.

He said his father's health problems had affected his ability to concentrate on his examinations during that period.

The road ahead

With the election now over, Dabas will have to translate his campaign commitments into concrete measures for students.

Safety audits of hostels and PGs, additional girls' hostels and helplines are among the priorities he has publicly outlined. Their implementation will require coordination with Delhi University authorities, colleges and relevant civic agencies.

For Dabas, the first test of his tenure will be how these promises are taken from the campaign stage to practical measures that students can see and use.