'Young India' vote against Modi govt's policies

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: After the 'Young India Referendum' held across 50 universities from February 7 to 9, an expression of discontent emerged as thousands of students and youth voted against the Modi-led Central Government's perceived failures in providing affordable education and dignified employment.

The 'Young India' campaign subsequently unveiled a compelling 10-point Chargesheet, outlining grievances against the government, including allegations of massive fee hikes, rising unemployment, attacks on minorities, erosion of scientific temperament, and compromises on social and gender justice.

Simultaneously, various progressive student organisations released a Student Youth Charter in support of these charges.

Speaking to News Trail, Lekha Adavi from All India Students Association (ASIA) said, “The Modi government has systematically broken down existing systems such as RTE and other scholarships in terms of both education and employment.”

Alleging that there has been an all-out attack on minorities by the Modi government she further stated that unemployment is at an all-time high and there is not any dignified employment in India.

In Karnataka alone, where the referendum covered six universities, a significant majority voted against fee hikes (83.4%) and criticised the government's failure to provide adequate hostels (74.9%) and scholarships (90.9%), emphasising the need for employment opportunities.

Strongly advocating for accessible education and dignified employment, Young India calls for the 'Chalo Delhi, Young India Rally' on February 28, 2024.

Led by student organisations, this rally sets the agenda for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, sending a clear message against perceived injustices.

The demands of students and youth

• Reject loan-based model in education and strengthen public education and roll back fee hike and waive off all student loans.
• Re-instate Scholarships and ensure fellowship for all marginalised and economically vulnerable students.
• Increase overall seats in higher education and open government colleges in all blocks.
• Declare job calendar and fill all vacant posts in the government sector.
• Ensure the Employment Guarantee Act and provide unemployment allowance for all.
• Conduct all India caste censuses and expand the ambit of reservation. ensure reservation in the private sector.
• Reinstate GSCASH and ensure inclusive education for women and gender minorities.
• End institutional violence, intimidation and repression of students by admin in alliance with the police and end incarceration of students, intellectuals and activists.
• Stop the saffronisation of the curriculum and end politically motivated appointments.
• Restore student union elections in all universities and colleges.