From Iconic Red To Rising Saffron: How ABVP’s '360° Nationalism' Is Reshaping Campus Politics For Gen Z

Last Updated:September 24, 2025, 13:30 IST

The ABVP’s recent victories signal a growing acceptance of its nationalist narrative and political vocabulary among students, rooted in the larger churn of Indian politics

The 2025 DUSU contest saw fierce competition, but ABVP’s candidate emerged victorious as president and the organisation captured three out of four key posts. (File Photo)

Power play through art and culture, social causes, entrepreneurship drives, and a brand of nationalism pitched as the “antibiotic" to ideological “infection" spread by the “forces with ulterior motives"—this is how the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), student wing of the RSS, is remaking India’s campus politics.

Over the past week, the winning spree of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, has been steadily pushing the “red" (SFI) and Left-leaning student organisations in some of the prominent educational institutions to the margins as saffron is seizing the student stage. The recent case being that of Panjab University, where ABVP, for the first time, won the position of the union president. And in another instance, the student organisation also won at Hyderabad Central University after a gap of nine years.

The ABVP seems to be steadily displacing the enigmatic “red" in India’s student politics. From Jawaharlal Nehru University to Hyderabad Central University, the latter once the epicentre of outrage, protests and an intense anti-casteism movement after Rohith Vemula’s death, the ABVP is scripting a winning spree, remaking student union rooms long dominated by the Left’s SFI and other Left-centric or Left-dominated factions.

The shift is more than just electoral arithmetic, while it appears to be a more ideological realignment than before. For decades, SFI and other Left-affiliated groups had been synonymous with campus politics, shaping debates on caste, class, gender, social structure and political ideas. However, the ABVP’s recent victories signal a growing acceptance of its nationalist narrative and political vocabulary among students, rooted in the larger churn of Indian politics.

At Hyderabad Central University, where the suicide of Dalit PhD scholar Rohith Vemula in 2016 sparked nationwide protests and gave Left outfits a renewed moral voice, ABVP’s comeback, at least after nine years, reflects the waning hold of the red banner.

The saffron surge is visible in the changed aesthetics of union offices, the slogans that dominate walls, and the agendas being pushed, which include issues spanning from cultural nationalism to employability and development.

There are contrarian views, while some critics argue that the saffronisation of campuses risks shrinking spaces for dissent and critical discourse. And, a section of supporters counters, stating that it reflects a generation unwilling to remain tethered to “obsolete Left rhetoric" and instead seeking a more assertive national identity.

A 360° Model of Activism

Not only in political activism, but ABVP has spread its network across the cultural, social and economic spectrum. Speaking with News18, Virendra Singh Solanki, the national general secretary of the ABVP, said that the organisation has 13 affiliated forums that work in all aspects of society, which include sports, culture, service, entrepreneurship, environment and other related issues.

“Unlike purely political, left-leaning student unions like SFI and AISA that work as the wings of political parties, often promoting negativity without direction, ABVP karyakartas are deeply involved in real, ground-level work focusing on individual development (Vyakti Nirman) as the foundation for nation-building (Rashtra Nirman). Our members do not have anything to do with the BJP, and our organisation is an RSS affiliate. This is not a new effort; it is a continuous process of grooming committed, skilled youth who contribute meaningfully," said Solanki.

“ism is the antibiotic that stops the infection of ideological confusion. I feel that the Gen Z population is psychologically evolved, deeply informed, and cannot be misguided; their growing acceptance of ABVP reflects a shift toward meaningful, service-based activism over empty ideological noise," he added.

Elaborating on the forums that ABVP has, Solanki said, “With 13 functional wings which include Khelo Bharat to Rastriya Kala Manch, from Saaviskar (for entrepreneurship) to Students For Seva and ABVP Overseas in 57 countries, the organisation is redefining student activism across borders, grounded in culture, development, entrepreneurship, and global youth diplomacy."

The Spread

The 2025 student union elections across India have marked a watershed moment for campus politics, with the ABVP making a dent in the existing political structure in multiple universities. This election cycle saw milestones for both ABVP and the rise of women leaders in student governance.

According to the data available with the organisation, Patna University saw a historic breakthrough unfold as a woman clinched the president’s seat for the first time since the university’s inception. Breaking long-standing barriers, the newly elected leader hails from ABVP, reflecting not only a step forward for gender representation but also being the organisation’s maiden victory for the president post. The top three positions, including the president, general secretary, and treasurer, are now held by women, signalling a transformative shift in leadership dynamics and inclusivity on campus.

Panjab University’s outcome is equally significant, where ABVP secured the president’s post for the first time since direct student elections began in 1977. This achievement shows evolving campus narratives and the organisation’s growing traction among the student community.

In Jawaharlal Nehru University, a traditionally left-leaning and fiercely contested space, ABVP staged a notable comeback after almost a decade, capturing the joint secretary position along with 23 councillor seats, which is now seen as its strongest performance in years.

The University of Hyderabad witnessed a clean sweep by ABVP after a gap of eight years, with the organisation taking all major posts. This result points to a strategic resurgence of ABVP in southern campuses, traditionally known for their diverse political discourse.

Meanwhile, the Delhi University Students’ Union elections further cemented the organisation’s dominant streak. Out of the past ten presidential elections, ABVP has won the president’s seat eight times, including this year. The 2025 contest saw fierce competition, but ABVP’s candidate emerged victorious as president and the organisation captured three out of four key posts, highlighting their organisational strength. Only the vice-presidential post went to a rival student group, emphasising the shifting landscape but ABVP’s continued relevance. Now, these victories collectively reflect a dynamic transition in India’s student politics.

News politics From Iconic Red To Rising Saffron: How ABVP’s '360° ism' Is Reshaping Campus Politics For Gen Z

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