Student Political Participation in Gujarat: A Comparative Study of Campus Political Organisations

Student political participation has historically played a crucial role in shaping democratic values and political leadership in India. This study examines the nature and extent of student political participation in Gujarat, with specific reference to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Adopting a quantitative, descriptive research design, primary data were collected from 80 student members from Ahmedabad and Vadodara using a semi-structured interview schedule. The study analyses respondents’ socio-economic and political profiles, motivations for political involvement, on-campus and off-campus participation, ideological views on religion, caste-based reservation, and economic liberalisation, and the perceived impact of political engagement on education and personal life. The findings reveal that campus politics predominantly attracts urban, male students from middle-income backgrounds and serves as an important site of political socialisation and leadership development. However, academic distraction, financial burden, and social risks also emerge as significant challenges. The study underscores the need for inclusive and regulated campus political practices to strengthen democratic engagement in higher education. Keywords: Student Politics, Political Participation, Impact, ABVP, NSUI.