Yari Nayam is a 27-year-old woman from the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Currently, a fourth-year PhD scholar at the Centre for Historical Studies (CHS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), her research focuses on the Ahom Kingdom—a significant but often overlooked historical power in mainstream academic narratives.
But Yari’s academic journey is not merely about degrees or research—it is a powerful story of resilience, courage, and the struggle of a first-generation learner navigating layered socio-economic and institutional challenges.
Born and raised in Dapoijo, one of the least developed district headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh, Yari faced the stark realities of underdevelopment and limited access to resources. Her family comes from a financially humble background, and she is the first in her family and community to pursue higher education.
Educational infrastructure in Dapoijo was minimal, with government schools offering only the basic curriculum—English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. There were no libraries, and no exposure to the arts, literature, or critical thinking spaces.
Yet, within this limited environment, Yari’s quiet determination took root.
After completing Class 12, she enrolled in Saint Claret College, Ziro, for a bachelor’s degree in History. This was her first exposure to private educational institutions, and the transition wasn’t easy. Many peers were fluent in English, confident, and better exposed. Coming from a background where English had been taught but rarely spoken, Yari initially struggled to follow lectures and interact in discussions.
But instead of letting that gap define her, she worked tirelessly to bridge it. She read books, listened to podcasts and speeches, and watched English-language content to teach herself. Many nights were spent rereading class materials or looking up unfamiliar words—without formal guidance, but with immense willpower.
During her time at Saint Claret College, she was elected to the non-political student council body—a recognition of her courage and growing presence. It marked her first step into leadership and community engagement, a role she would continue to nurture and expand.
Following her graduation, Yari cleared the entrance exam for the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, and pursued a master’s in Medieval History. NEHU became a turning point in her life. The academic atmosphere was more rigorous, and the cultural landscape of Shillong introduced her to student activism, identity politics, and wider social networks.
Despite continuing struggles with English fluency, she did not hold back. She was elected Assistant Class Representative and faced mockery from some for her language skills—but instead of withdrawing, she responded with resilience, using criticism as fuel for growth.
At NEHU, Yari and other students from Arunachal Pradesh formed the Arunachal Students Association—creating a much-needed space of solidarity and support for those feeling alienated in academic settings. She also became President of the Women’s Wing of the Arunachal Students’ Union, Shillong. These positions were not mere titles—they were her platforms to build community, amplify voices from the margins, and especially support fellow women students who often lacked representation.
She later cleared the competitive entrance exam for JNU’s PhD program, a dream that once felt unimaginable. Her admission brought pride to her family and community. Entering JNU, a prestigious institution in the heart of Delhi, felt like stepping into a world far removed from Dapoijo. Yet, with quiet strength built from years of struggle, she embraced the opportunity.
At JNU, Yari Nayam continued her deep involvement in student life and activism. In 2022–2023, she served as Co-Convenor of the North East Students’ Forum (NESF), JNU. Under her leadership, NESF organized cultural programs, political dialogues, and advocacy efforts to address issues impacting Northeastern students—from discrimination to representation to student welfare. She also became involved with the JNU Christian Fellowship, finding spiritual support and solidarity during her journey.
However, it was the controversy surrounding the BARAK hostel that became a turning point. When the administration’s handling of the issue drew widespread concern, Yari Nayam emerged as a key voice challenging the injustice. Even as others remained silent, she stood firm. The experience was emotionally intense and isolating. It was during this time that a friend suggested she contest the JNUSU elections—not out of ambition, but as a response to being left unsupported when it mattered the most.
Yari’s candidacy is not just about BARAK or JNU. It is about challenging the silence, neglect, and elitism that continue to define academic spaces. It is about speaking up for every first-generation learner, Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi, queer, disabled, SC/ST student, regional and linguistic minority who has been sidelined or silenced. It is a movement to centre the margins and make JNU inclusive, democratic, and just.
Her vision is rooted in three key pillars: voice, visibility, and access. She aims to establish permanent anti-discrimination mechanisms in every school and hostel, ensure a true representation of marginalized groups—including tribal, queer, Northeastern, and first-gen students—in all campus structures, and guarantee academic mentorship, financial assistance, and robust mental health care. She insists: “We don’t seek welfare. We claim rights. This is about equity, not charity.”
Yari Nayam is contesting to assert dignity, presence, and rightful space for all marginalized students. The current administrative and political structures replicate elite dominance while ignoring grassroots voices. She challenges that silence.
Her key priorities include securing representation for unheard voices by ensuring marginalized students are included in decision-making bodies, and leadership roles; demanding gender-neutral washrooms in every centre; repairing lifts and improving accessibility for students with special needs.
Yari Nayam stands in full solidarity with the people of Manipur, calling national attention to the ongoing crisis, and emphasizing the urgency of relief and justice. She is committed to tackling systemic casteism on campus and advocating for institutional support and fair treatment of PhD scholars from marginalized backgrounds.
On hostel matters, Yari demands a transparent and fair allotment process that restores geographical distance as a key criterion. She wants to see a functional, accessible system in place. To combat harassment, she calls for stronger mechanisms to protect women and queer students, including the reinstatement of GSCASH as a truly autonomous and accountable gender justice body.
Her reform agenda for the JNU Health Centre includes increasing the number of qualified doctors, ensuring the availability of essential medicines, prioritizing mental health support, and addressing long-standing issues like frequent UTIs among women due to unhygienic hostel conditions.
Infrastructure is another focus: she advocates for renovating existing hostels, proper washroom facilities in hostels and libraries, improved lighting and seating in reading spaces, upgraded sports facilities, and fixing drainage issues in Godavari, Tapti, and Lohit hostels.
She also highlights mess bill irregularities—calling for standardized billing practices with oversight, support for economically weaker students, and urgent resolution of recurring water shortages in hostels. For international students, Yari promises to engage with their unique academic and social concerns, ensuring their inclusion in campus structures and services.
Firmly opposing unjustified fee hikes—especially in the School of Engineering (SoE)—she demands Means-Cum-Merit (MCM) scholarships for SoE students and an increase in MCM amount. She also seeks improved transport facilities, including an increased number of e-vehicles for better connectivity to distant hostels like Damodar.
On the environmental front, Yari plans to launch a cleanliness and awareness campaign across campus, demand dustbins every 300 meters, and push for sustainable practices and environmental justice.
Yari’s candidacy is about transforming JNU’s political culture. She speaks as someone who has faced isolation, silence, and exclusion firsthand. Her journey—from Dapoijo to Ziro to Shillong to Delhi—reflects a broader political struggle.
It’s about the institutional failure to support marginalized students and the national erasure of Northeast and tribal voices. Her vision reaches beyond campus—it challenges centralized power, asserts tribal rights, and calls for a deeper, more just democracy.
In her own words: “This is not just a candidacy. It is a movement.”
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