Final exams underway, poll noise takes toll on Dharamshala students
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Dharamshala: As Himachal Pradesh prepares for voting on June 1, the Dharamshala Assembly constituency byelection has emerged as a focal point of intense political activity.
Dharamshala, known for its educational institutions, is currently witnessing a clash between election campaigns and academic commitments. Students, particularly those appearing for their final exams, are significantly affected by the political campaign driven by loudspeakers.
Karan Thakur, a first-time voter from Bilaspur and a student at Dharamshala government college, shared his challenges. “Today (May 28), I have my final exam. The loudspeaker campaign vehicles make it difficult to concentrate.
I receive at least 10 spam calls or messages daily, which are very distracting,” he said. He also recounted an incident on May 25 when his exam coincided with a rally of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Dharamshala police ground. “My exam was at 2 pm, but the public meeting around 1.30 pm caused significant disruptions, making it hard to reach my exam centre on time,” he added.
Ayush Thakur, another student who is from Palampur, echoed similar concerns. “The campaign vehicles take multiple rounds, causing excessive noise. It’s tough to study under these conditions… I will vote for the candidate who promises and shows a clear plan to address unemployment and other issues,” he noted.
The political atmosphere in Dharamshala is heating up as both major parties intensify their campaigns. However, this comes at a cost to the local youth, who are caught between their academic responsibilities and the cacophony of electioneering. As the election date approaches, the impact on students and their studies remains a crucial concern, highlighting the need for a balance between political activities and maintaining an environment conducive to education.
