Global Genesis of Student Unions

Evolving from medieval student guilds in Europe to modern democratic organizations, the student union has progressed significantly. As the first union of students, Saint Andrews launched Britain's first student debate club in 1794, followed by Cambridge Union Society in 1815 and Oxford Union Society in 1823.1

 

Image :  Cambridge Union Society, 1815

The United States began its student union from Harvard University in 1832 as a platform of expression and debates for students.2 After World War II, the International Union of Students (IUS) was established on August 27, 1946, in Prague, with the participation of student organizations from 39 countries.3 

The inception of Student Unions in Nepal

While the world began student unions as a platform for students, to defend their rights and interests in order to enhance their welfare and educational standards, as well as to prepare them for their roles as democratic citizens, Nepal’s student unions emerged as democratic platforms inspired by anti-Rana movements in the 1940s–50s.4 The "Jayatu Sanskritam" movement, led by students of the Tin Dhara Pakshala Hostel and Rajakiya Sanskrit Vidyalaya, is the ​first student uprising in Nepal's history that led to the Revolution of 1951 and the fall of the Rana Dynasty.5 They demanded democracy, basic welfare, and the inclusion of modern subjects in their curriculum. It was Nepal's first student uprising6, which initiated the 1951 Revolution and ended the reign of the Rana oligarchy. The only university of Nepal then, the Tribhuvan University (TU) was established in 1959, and almost simultaneously, the Tribhuvan University Students’ Union (TUSU) was formed in 1961. By 1963, TUSU protested for an independent Student Union in every educational institute of TU.7 Acknowledging the possibility of conducting political activities pushing for democracy, underground political parties began to establish their student wings. The Communist Party of Nepal, on May 14, 1965, founded the All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) officially as a communist stronghold in 1968.8 The formalization of student unions began with the establishment of the Nepal Student Union (NSU) in 1970 by Bipin Koirala, Marshall Julum Shakya and Sher Bahadur Deuba from the Nepali Congress Party.9 These unions were instrumental in mobilizing youth against the Panchayat regime, leading to significant political changes. ​

Foundational Contributions of Student Unions in Nepal

Student Unions and their movements were pivotal in the downfall of the 104-year-long autocratic Rana regime. Over time,  these student movements turned into student politics in Nepal. After the establishment of democracy in 1951, King Mahendra imposed a party-less autocratic rule called Panchayat in 1961,  restricting the operations of all political parties in Nepal. As an exception, and in consideration of student organizations, they were given limited freedom to conduct student activities, including their union elections.10 During this era, student unions held against King Mahendra’s absolute rule and played a key role in advocating for multiparty democracy. In 1990, the People’s Movement (Jana Andolan I) led by students and their political parties reestablished multi-party democracy in Nepal, restoring parliamentary democracy under the constitutional monarchy.11 They also played a key role in the abolition of the monarchy during the People's Movement (Jana Andolan II) in 2006.12. Beyond this, they have advocated for academic freedom, and policies benefiting students, and have also organized campaigns on social issues, contributing to broader societal development. ​Student unions of Nepal have brought a new amplitude to Nepali society on various grounds, including political movements, social welfare, a grooming platform for political journeys, and political training. Progressively, Tribhuvan University allowed all its campuses across the country to form student unions to handle extra-curricular activities of the campus and matters related to student affairs through an electoral system via the Free Student Union (FSU) election. It is colloquially referred to as a “mini-parliament” by both student organizations and political parties.13 Primarily, composed of undergraduate and graduate students under 28 years old14 formed with the major purpose of representing students' interests, advocating for academic improvements, infrastructural refinement within the institution, and organizing various student activities as a part of the student welfare program, the elected student union council of the campus functions for a term of 2 years.15 

Contemporary Scenario of Student Unions in Nepal

 Once a powerful force that changed the landscape of democratic practice in Nepal, today it has been marred by political interference, conflicts, and violence, raising questions about its true spirit. In recent years, the integrity of Nepal's Student Unions has been compromised by political affiliations and resultant conflicts. The Union that advocated for civil rights and brought democracy to the country was overshadowed and restricted from the Free Student Union (FSU) election for 14 years until, in 2023, the election process started in the affiliated campuses of Tribhuvan University (TU). 16 

At present, intended for better democratic practice, the FSU serves as a platform for student representation and engagement in institutional decision-making. But whenever FSU is mentioned, student politics is inevitably brought into the discussion, and vice versa. The moment student politics is raised, the direct influence of political parties is immediately understood because, over time, the FSU has essentially evolved into a political wing of mainstream political parties rather than a true autonomous student representative body. Instead of focusing on student welfare, student unions are now seen as a stepping stone for political careers. A preconceived mindset has been engraved as winning FSU elections is often seen as a political internship—a gateway to national politics, as many national leaders began their careers in student unions. Conversely, when the fear of losing an election strikes, the only resort they choose is disruption, often creating a chaotic and hostile environment on campuses. Violence, padlocking, and disruptive tactics have become the norm, and obstruction of the election process has become a common tactic to either secure victory or prevent elections from taking place, altogether undermining the very essence of democratic student representation.

The affiliated campuses of TU have seen different shades of protest in the name of the FSU election, may that be the physical violence and strikes, vandalism, padlocking the campus administration, hunger strike, dragging the campus administration and election body to the court, and whatnot. These are nothing but a result of divided opinion and the teachings of their mother political parties as elections, violence, and strikes. Also, the trend of independent candidacy for election that emerged from national politics has profoundly shaped and moulded the young mindsets, leading to a surge in independent candidates in student union elections and contributing to their victories.

FSU Elections 2025

The Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus, got its independent President from the FSU Election 2025, who just spent Six Thousand Rupees (Rs. 6,000) for his election campaign.17 This brought a new facet in the FSU election in Nepal, such that a candidate can emerge victorious with a modest budget, signaling a change in how students are viewing leadership, moving away from traditional party politics in favor of more independent, grassroots-based efforts. However, the trend of independent candidacies has also exposed certain contradictions in student politics. Chitwan Engineering Campus had its elected president, an independent candidate who was backed by the NSU and the All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R), and has officially joined ANNISU-R, the student wing of the Maoist party.18 Reviewing this case, it could be seen as a ‘fraud’ in democracy, where the emotional and ideological appeal of an independent candidacy is exploited for personal or political gains, rather than staying true to the vision of serving students without party affiliations.

Nevertheless, the campuses considered as alma mater of political leaders inside the Kathmandu Valley, the Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus Campus (RR Campus), the Tri Chandra Multiple Campus, the Nepal Law Campus (NLC) and the Tribhuvan University Central Campus (TU Campus), Kirtipur has showcased different aspects of student leadership, where political affiliations still dominate the student union elections. The ANNFSU of RR Campus padlocked the campus at midnight, halting the final stages of the election due to internal disputes. The election was supposed to be held on March 29, however the Monarchy Movement of March 28 further pushed the election. And, now the candidate for th

e post of President on behalf of the Nepali Congress, has filed a petition in Patan High Court demanding an election at Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus (RR).19

 

Image: Election Postponed of March 28 Movement Statement ( Left) 

Padlocking Statement of RR Campus (Right)

Source: Facebook post of candidates

Also, the election of NLC was halted, and students were seen on a relay hunger strike and advocating for students' voting rights.  Now, the students are seen filing a petition demanding an election in Patan High Court,20  and the court issued an interim order to conduct an election and the election took place on April 21.

Image: Patan High Court Interim Order 

Source: Facebook post of candidates

Similarly, the Tri Chandra Campus was about to have its election after 16 years but because of padlocking from ANNFSU the election was postponed for the first of April, and the election took place peacefully. However, the ideological clash within the same union was seen on the campus where students representing NSU were the candidates from two different panels i.e. Aadhikari Samuha and Swotantra Samuha. On the other hand,  the campus’ student union presented the worst example of leadership as they Black Faced an election officer.21

Likewise, the Patan High Court issued an interim order to halt the FSU election at Tribhuvan University's Central Campus as per the writ petition filed by the president of the Tribhuvan University NSU against the Tribhuvan University, Free Student Union Election Central Monitoring and Coordination Committee, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, and others. 22 And, with the court's order the election was held on the first of March 31. 

However, things remained much better outside the Kathmandu valley, though they also had to face strikes and padlocking resulting in election postponement. Unlike the institute inside the valley, it is peaceful in terms of physical violence and clashes outside the valley. The largest educational institute of Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara (PNC), with the highest number of students studying under TU, which is also known to be the birthplace of political leaders from Gandaki Province, which indeed was the alma mater of the Chief Minister, Minister, Governor and Mayor of Pokhara Metropolis,  has had its first election in the last 16 years. Though the election date was postponed, the student unions unioned it with political maturity and democratic discipline.

Comparative Analysis of Student Unions across the world 

The Student Union has evolved remarkably on a global scale, which brings an opportunity to learn and unlearn from each country’s progress. Comparing Nepal with its two neighbours India and China,  highlights diverse models of student unions and activism. Nepal and India’s student unions lie in the same highly politicized ground tied with the political parties with Nepal’s FSU and India’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) prominently representing student unions in respective countries. The union is a major force in campus life and the elections within JNU’s student union are marked by strong political discourse and intellectual activism, setting it apart from other universities in India. Like the FSU Election, JNU’s Election has given birth to the leaders, diplomats, politicians, and economists of India. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)23, National Student of India (NSU) 24, All India Students Federation (AISF) and Students' Federation of India (SFI) are the major student unions of India that have a deep rooted strong involvement in protests, from the independence movement to recent anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.25 While in China, from the perspective of group politics, student politics is possessed with great political power in a country,26 suppressing student protests, among which Tiananmen Square crackdown27 is the leading example. Also in 2018, Chinese government arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared workers and students during a nationwide labor rights crackdown. 28 Although it is true that the student unions of Nepal operate in campuses as an extension of political parties and serve as their machineries, they have, so far, enjoyed a freedom to protest and raise demands unlike in China where student activism is discouraged and dissent is met with censorship or arrest. After England, the student union has evolved from the USA, and unlike the conflict ridden and politicized student union of Nepal, the student unions of USA focus on institutional policies, national reforms, and global issues through organized advocacy, lobbying, and activism for social justice causes such as Gun Control Advocacy (March for Our Lives)29, Black Lives Matters Movement30, LGBTQ+ Rights and Gender Inclusion, and many more. After almost a century of conservatism among German students, the German student movement of 1968 marked a significant shift to the left and radicalization of student activism. The Student Union, known as "Studentenwerk", operates independently and autonomously without any influence from the administration, with services including counseling and mental health resources, legal advice, and guidance on financial matters, organizing events, advocating for student rights within the university. Additionally, practical support such as affordable housing options, and, ensuring that students have a voice in university decisions and can actively participate to have input in decisions taken by the institution were all sewn up.31

Way forward

From fighting autocracy to shaping democratic discourse, student unions have been a  cornerstone of political and social movements throughout history. It is disheartening as much as unacceptable to see them becoming heavily politicized, often prioritising ideologies and practices mirroring their parent parties. Recent FSU elections have seen both inspiring independent wins and manipulated “independent” candidates backed by parties. Going forward, the  agenda of student unions should shift toward serving students, and not political parties. Alarmingly, some elected representatives from both current and past FSUs have left the country, raising questions about their commitment, the FSU’s purpose and student trust. And, it is debatable yet highly concerning as someone who has aimed to represent students and their voices are themselves leaving the country itself seeking better opportunities as a student. For this reason, student unions should concentrate on giving students genuine opportunities, enhancing academic facilities, cultivating a welcoming campus community, promoting student welfare, and additionally, guaranteeing that student leaders are answerable to their peers and that the student body, not political interests, remains their primary role. Therefore, depoliticization, campus election reform, and violence prevention are essential to the development of Nepal's student union. Finally, reestablishing trust and FSU as authentic student voices may be facilitated by studying other nations where student unions make significant contributions to university reform.

References 

1.  Student organizations in Europe during the nineteenth century. (n.d.). Encyclopédie D’histoire numérique De L’Europe.

2. The First Student Union 1893-1955 · The History of the Student Union · Archives and Special Collections - Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library. (n.d.). http://exhibits.lib.umt.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/history-of-the-student-union/the-first-union-1893-1955 

3. International Union of Students. (n.d.).https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/int-ius.html 

4.  Singh, C. P. (2004). RISE AND GROWTH OF ANTI-RANA MOVEMENT IN NEPAL. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 65, 992–1002. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44144808 

5.   Jayatu Sanskritam : a timeless mission | WorldCat.org. (1999). https://search.worldcat.org/en/title/62178844 

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7.  Baral, L. R. (1975). The Dynamics of Student Politics in Nepal, 1961-1975. International Studies, 14(2), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.1177/002088177501400206 

8.   All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU)

9.  https://www.nsu.org.np/about-us 

10.   Weiner, M. (1973). The political demography of Nepal. Asian Survey, 12(6), 17-32.

11.  Gyanwali, G. P., & Khanal, K. R. (2024). People’s Multi-party Democracy: A success story of the Communist movement of Nepal. Patan Gyansagar., 6(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.3126/pg.v6i1.67405 

12.    Rai, S. C. (2022). Student political activism in Nepal: vanguards of democracy or powerless pawns? Asian Social Science, 18(10), 11. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v18n10p8 

13.   https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jids/32/3/32_71/_pdf/-char/ja 

14.  TU Institution and Educational Administration Regulation, 2050, Rule 345(4)

15.  TU Institution and Educational Administration Regulation, 2050, Rule 348(d)

16.   Election process of FSU starts after 14 years. (n.d.).  

17.  https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2025/03/20/congress-and-uml-student-unions-neck-to-neck-in-fsu-vote-as-maoist-centre-union-trails-behind

18.  https://ekantipur.com/en/Education/2025/03/18/an-independent-candidate-has-won-the-post-of-president-of-chitwan-engineering-campus-45-36.html

19.  https://www.ratopati.com/story/482253/case-filed-in-court-demanding-free-university-elections-on-rr-campus?fbclid=IwY2xjawJgxN1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvNLOrgbhw-yeTna-8q5V7OFzsrW9GapF3XALPiuJjWuV5ivlOQDc1BFYdlf_aem_2zdXFWyyOz84VNZ00GQ9ow

20.  https://gorkhapatraonline.com/news/149686?fbclid=IwY2xjawJgxIpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHk9IlEE06CHi5CSeXTLQ0jDiROU9dwCtHMVHR_IscRIikLFRdroboScsAG8k_aem_ssTIrU6AKwTqzhAYo3uNQg 

21.  https://www.prasashan.com/2025/03/31/652779/ 

22.  https://supremecourt.gov.np/appeal/syspublic.php?d=reports&f=caseprocess&casno=888989

23.  https://www.abvp.org/ 

24.  https://nsui.org/about 

25.  CAA Protest India  

26.  Wang, G. (2015, June 26). The development trend of student politics in China. WANG | Canadian Social Science. http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/7211 

27.  Amnesty International. (2024, June 4). What is the Tiananmen crackdown? https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2024/06/what-is-the-tiananmen-crackdown/ 

28. China: Release workers, student activists. (2020, October 28). Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/12/03/china-release-workers-student-activists 

29.  https://marchforourlives.org/ 

30.  Rim, C. (2020, June 4). How student activism shaped the Black Lives Matter movement. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2020/06/04/how-student-activism-shaped-the-black-lives-matter-movement/ 

31.  S, K., & S, K. (2024b, August 31). Understanding student unions in German universities. PingMe Study Abroad | Edu Consultants in Thrissur -. https://pingmestudyabroad.com/understanding-student-unions-in-german-universities