REVIEWING the current political situation and the educational scenario in the country, the central executive committee (CEC) of the Students Federation of India (SFI) expressed grave concern over the developments in the north eastern states of the country following the extension of the ceasefire agreement of the central government with the NSCN militants. The SFI CEC met at Dehradun on June 20 and 21.

The CEC severely criticised the ceasefire and was of the opinion that the BJP-led NDA government at the centre has played havoc with the interests of the nation by ignoring the genuine concerns of the north eastern states where the people are facing conditions of insecurity.

The meeting hailed the Left Front’s historic victory in West Bengal, for the sixth term in a row. In a resolution adopted at the meeting, the CEC congratulated the people of the state for defeating all the conspiracies of the satans of money, muscle power and media.

In another important resolution adopted by the CEC, SFI vehemently criticised the central government and the RSS-packed UGC for the efforts they are making to communalise Indian education. The UGC is at present using the instrument of grants to arm-twist the universities to introduce the courses on astrology and karmakand (religious rituals). While the UGC remains indifferent to the plight of the institutions of higher education which are being starved of funds, it is busying itself with implementing the RSS’ rabidly communal and obscurantist policies and priorities.

The SFI CEC decided to launch struggles on the issues of education and employment and against the anti-people policies of the BJP-led NDA government during the ensuing academic session, independently and also along with other like minded organisation of the students and youth.

The meeting decided to hold a national convention of agriculture students at Hissar (Haryana) on August 3-4. The meeting also decided to hold a national convention on education in Delhi in November. Another decision was to hold an all-India girl students’ convention at Kolkata in December. An all-India medical students’ convention will be held in January 2002.

The CEC meeting also decided to send a 10-member team to participate in the 15th World Festival of Youth and Students, to be held in Algiers from August 8 to 16 this year. Solidarity programmes in the form of cultural programmes, seminars and debates will be organised in various parts of the country to carry forward the message of the festival. The programmes will be held under the banner of the festival slogan "Let us globalise the struggle for peace, solidarity and development against imperialism."

In light of the many changes and developments which have taken place in the international and national arena, the CEC meeting decided to review and update the present SFI programme and constitution. A 10-member drafting committee was set up by the meeting to review and propose changes in the programme and constitution of the organisation. (INN)