PU elections cause accommodation problems for Afghan students

Chandigarh: Panjab University elections are in full swing, causing unreasonable hardship, especially to the foreign exchange students who face accommodation problems. Shahaqa Besharat, a student of MA-I political science, from the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, said, “One of my classmates is a candidate for the post of department representative. I am facing hostel problems and have to live in a hotel but no one considers it a problem. We have gone to the dean’s office many times in vain.” Language comes as a barrier for these students, limiting their involvement in the elections. Ali Raza said. “When the candidate, who is standing for the post of department representative, came to us, he talked in English. We are usually approached in English here. Though during my stay in Punjab I have learnt a little Hindi from Bollywood movies.” Afghanistan has sent the maximum number of students to study at Panjab University, Chandigarh, and its affiliated colleges in the last six years.