Aishe Ghosh (born 1995) is an Indian student activist and politician associated with the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). She came to wide public attention in January 2020 as the President of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) during a period of major campus protests.
Key facts
| Name | Aishe Ghosh |
|---|---|
| Born | 1995 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known for | Student activism; President, JNUSU (2019–2020) |
| Affiliation | Students' Federation of India (SFI); Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| Institution | Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi |
Background and education
Ghosh pursued higher studies at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, where she became active in left-wing student politics through the Students' Federation of India.
Presidency of JNUSU
In the JNU Students' Union elections held in September 2019, Ghosh was elected President as the candidate of a Left alliance that included the SFI, the All India Students' Association (AISA), the Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), and the All India Students' Federation (AISF). Her tenure coincided with sustained protests on the JNU campus against a steep hostel fee revision proposed by the university administration.
January 2020 JNU attack
On 5 January 2020, a masked mob entered the JNU campus and assaulted students and faculty members in hostels and on the campus. Ghosh was among those injured, sustaining a head wound, and her photograph with bandages drew national and international attention to the incident. The episode prompted widespread solidarity protests at universities across India and intensified debate over campus security and political violence in higher education institutions.
Later political activity
Following the events at JNU, Ghosh became a prominent youth voice for the CPI(M). She contested the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election from the Jamuria constituency in Paschim Bardhaman district as a CPI(M) candidate, but did not win. She has continued to participate in party campaigns and student-related political activity.
Significance
Ghosh's prominence reflects the continuing role of JNU as a centre of left-wing student politics in India, and the tradition of JNUSU presidents transitioning into wider public life. Her visibility during the 2019–2020 protests made her one of the most recognised faces of the Indian student movement of that period.
Related topics
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union
- Students' Federation of India
- Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- 2020 JNU attack
- 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election
- Jamuria Assembly constituency
References
- Wikidata entity: Q108085266