Santosh is a 22-year-old student of Shree Baldev Degree College in Varanasi. When he joined the college, he was extremely perturbed by the hostile atmosphere of the college campus to girl students. The male students subjected most of them to sexual harassment and humiliation and they feared going to the library and even the girls’ common room. Many of them were even forced to abandon their studies midway. Although the issue was brought to the notice of the college administration several times, the administration did little to remedy it.

Santosh gathered together a group of concerned students and they began raising their voices on behalf of the girls. For the first time in seven years, the college administration and the student body actually sat down to discuss the problems. Santosh also began mobilising students to take an interest in college elections so that issues like gender justice and communal harmony could be addressed more meaningfully. The Jujharu Student’s Union (JSU) was formed as a result of his efforts. The JSU also encouraged students of backward communities, who faced blatant discrimination, to find a voice on the college campus. It made concerted efforts to get Kiran Vishwakarmi, a girl from a backward community, elected.

Predictably, Santosh was threatened by rival fellow students and faced enormous social pressure as he belonged to the upper class and his family was rich. He was forced to go into hiding and could emerge only when Kiran Vishwakarmi won. Today, their combined efforts have meant a non-threatening college atmosphere for the girls and an ability to participate freely and in college activities.

The next year in 2003, just before another college election, Santosh was run down along with his pregnant wife by a vehicle by a group of people who wanted him dead. Santosh’s wife survived but lost her child. Santosh’s legs were badly damaged. One year after the accident, Santosh is able to sit on his wheelchair but needs support to stand. Santosh’s accident has been a big blow to the JSU. But Santosh remains committed and is still regarded as a mentor and guide.