The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) is the highest-ranking student organisation in Arunachal Pradesh, representing the interests of students throughout the state.
Founded to advocate for educational reform, social justice and youth empowerment, the AAPSU frequently plays a significant role in politics, acting as a bridge between the public and the government.
However, in recent years, the union has faced increasing criticism due to internal problems, including allegations of corruption, sex scandals, violence and failures on broader social issues such as moral decay. This article will explore these challenges by examining reported incidents and public discussions.
Corruption
Corruption and the “money game” in the AAPSU elections are among the most persistent criticisms of AAPSU. Multiple media reports have indicated that the candidate competition has degenerated into a high-stakes money war, with candidates spending Rs 5-8 crore to secure votes.
This “money game” has been described as an open secret, undermining the democratic spirit of the student organisation. This has led some to view AAPSU as a “joke”, seeing it as a symbol of corruption rather than an anti-corruption force.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu publicly condemned these practices, calling them “very sad” for the student body, and warned that the government would intervene if such excessive behaviour continued.
Research and public discussion indicate that external political forces frequently interfere in AAPSU’s affairs, turning it into a money-making platform rather than a student welfare institution.
Critics argue that some older individuals, or ‘jajas’, are corrupting the minds of young people by spending money on elections, undermining the union’s focus on the genuine concerns of students.
Currently, these dissenting voices are growing, with people arguing that student organisations should be managed by students, not by those who have long since left the student body.
Violence and tribal prejudice
Violence and internal conflict frequently derail elections within AAPSU, often accompanied by violence and clashes. On January 30, in Itanagar, two presidential candidates, Debia Muj and Meje Taku, openly threw stones and fired shots at AAPSU offices, sparking widespread and condemned violence. The fact that social order was only restored after security forces arrived clearly indicates deeper systemic flaws in the recurring violence, possibly related to the substantial economic interests involved.
Tribal bias has also surfaced, with accusations that AAPSU is being controlled by specific tribes, allowing only those tribes to participate in elections while excluding other remote areas and minority tribes from competing. This has sparked calls for resistance from other tribes. This factional infighting further divides the alliance, hindering its role as a unifying voice for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh.
Frequent scandals involving candidates
During the AAPSU elections, a scandal involving one of the candidates, Debia Muj, broke out in local communities. A woman accused Debia of having an extramarital affair, concealing his marriage and having a relationship with her for six months. She alleged that he even threatened her with secretly filmed videos, intimidating her into not exposing the affair.
This incident sparked heated discussions among the public. Some people were sceptical, believing it was a ploy by other competitors to damage Debia’s reputation. However, the woman subsequently released more photos and videos as evidence, further fuelling the debate in Arunachal Pradesh.
This incident has also negatively impacted the election. Whether a public figure embroiled in scandal will cause a crisis of trust in the organisation is a question worth considering and investigating.
The way forward: Reforms and accountability
The problems plaguing AAPSU — corruption, violence and inadequate responses to scandals — threaten to undermine its credibility as a student advocate. Public figures and former leaders have called for reforms, including barring overaged participants and ensuring transparent elections free from monetary influence.
To regain trust, AAPSU must prioritise genuine student issues over political manoeuvring and actively combat corruption at all levels. As Arunachal Pradesh grapples with rapid development and social changes, a reformed AAPSU could play a pivotal role in fostering a corruption-free, safe environment for its youth. However, without urgent introspection, the union risks becoming synonymous with the very problems it claims to fight.
(Views are personal)
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