Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Feb 18: Rashmi Samant who became the first Indian woman to be elected as the president of the Oxford Student Union (SU) resigned from the post following criticism surrounding some of her past remarks and references. Her old social media posts that had emerged were branded as 'racist' and 'insensitive'.
One of her posts included a holocaust reference during a visit to the Berlin Holocaust Memorial in Germany in 2017, an Instagram caption on a picture of herself in Malaysia that read 'Ching Chang' had drawn ire from the Chinese students. Samant also drew controversy for a campaign post caption that separated women and trans women, with the Oxford LGBTQ+ campaign calling for her resignation.
In an open letter published in the student newspaper 'Cherwell' earlier this week, Samant said, "Though the recent developments might make it hard for you to believe the sincerity of my apologies, it deeply pained me to note that I have lost the trust that the student community reposed in me with their votes and belief in my manifesto owing to my mistakes.
"Regrettably, I alienated people within our wonderful student community to the extent that they deem me unfit to be the leader they rightfully deserve," she said.
"I sincerely apologise to every student who has been hurt by my actions or words and seek a chance to gain your trust in me again," she added.
"In light of the recent events surrounding my election to the Presidency of the Oxford SU, I believe it is best for me to step down from the role. It has been an honour to be your President-elect," she said in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, later published in 'The Oxford Student'.
A by-election will be soon held for a new president, with nominations getting re-opened, which means the fresh election will not be limited to just the previously unsuccessful candidates.
The current 2020-21 officers of the student union said they 'sincerely apologise for the hurt and discomfort caused by the actions of the President-elect'.
"Oxford SU has a no-tolerance policy towards discrimination. Racism, transphobia, and antisemitism have no place in our organisation," their statement read.
Samant who is from Udupi in Karnataka had won the election by a large margin of votes. In her manifesto, she had highlighted the need for greater 'decolonisation and inclusivity' on campus. Samant's victory in the election had made her the first-ever Indian woman to be elevated to this post.