India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Deepanshu Shokeen has emerged victorious in the DUSU vice president elections as an independent candidate by garnering 30,615 votes in the 2026 election. He achieved victory despite competition from students’ groups that have thrown their weight behind other contestants for this year’s DUSU elections.
Independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won the 2026 DUSU vice president elections with 30,615 votes, defeating ABVP’s Ishu Maurya by 13,705 votes, after campaigning on student security and infrastructure.
Shokeen defeated Ishu Maurya of ABVP, who received 16,910 votes, and Virr Chatrath of NSUI, who garnered 4,313 votes. The margin of victory between Shokeen and Maurya was 13,705 votes.
However, the path to victory was not easy for Shokeen. From trying to seek a ticket from NSUI to running for the DUSU elections as an independent candidate, the entire campaign of Shokeen was focused on student-centric issues.
#WATCH | Delhi: ABVP members celebrated after their victory in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) captured three key positions on the central panel, with Yash Dabas winning the post of President, Riya Chhawdi… pic.twitter.com/kvSGhmunnW
— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2026
Who Is Deepanshu Shokeen?
Shokeen is a student of the Department of Buddhist Studies of the University of Delhi. Prior to his current studies, he had obtained his degree from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College.
He hails from Peeragarhi Village in Delhi. His father is a bus conductor while his mother is an anganwadi worker. It was revealed in the details of his campaign that his family wished him to prepare for the UPSC examination. But he opted for being a part of student politics.
It was during his college period that he took off in his political career and became a contestant in DUSU elections. In the 2026 election, he campaigned on issues of student security and infrastructure.
Why Did Deepanshu Shokeen Contest As An Independent?
Shokeen had initially sought an NSUI ticket for the DUSU election. His nomination was reportedly filed, but he was later asked to withdraw from the contest.
Instead of stepping aside, Shokeen chose to continue the electoral battle as an independent candidate.
The decision changed the nature of his campaign. He was no longer representing one of the established student organisations and had to build his support directly among students.
His campaign subsequently gained visibility on the university campus, eventually resulting in a significant victory over candidates fielded by major student groups.
What Was His Role After The Satya Niketan Tragedy?
The safety of the students became one of the major concerns of Shokeen due to the PG building collapse at Satya Niketan in Delhi.
There had been casualties, even students from Delhi University, due to this accident. Shokeen openly sought justice for the safety of the students and their accommodation facilities.
As part of the protest that he launched against the government, Shokeen made the choice of remaining shoeless until justice was done.
This issue gained more relevance in the debate on DUSU elections.
What Does His DUSU Victory Mean?
Having garnered 30,615 votes, Shokeen has become one of the four vital members of the DUSU central panel. What is more remarkable about this is that this has been achieved despite the lack of organisational support which is there for ABVP and NSUI contestants. This candidate’s campaign started with his seeking the NSUI ticket and ended up winning the vice president slot as an independent candidate.
It is evident that this is a continuation of the path of this candidate’s student politics career – from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College to Buddhist Studies department of Delhi University.
