People's Democracy

THE recently concluded conferences of the Bengal state units of Students Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) have underlined the need to further widen and deepen mass contact. These organisations also urged for building up of a strong resistance to the pervasive influence of the forces of reaction.

Held from June 9 to 12 at the Ritwik Sadan at Kalyani, the twelfth DYFI state conference was inaugurated by its founder secretary and West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. He asked the youth to ensure that the level of political consciousness amongst the young men and women of Bengal went on increasing, so that they take correct decisions in these complex times. While speaking on the importance of adhering to the path to socialism, Buddhadeb drew the delegates’ attention to the way nations like China, Vietnam and Cuba could forge ahead in the present complex period of history. "Fidel Castro," he said, "is able to declare with pride that unlike in the US, no children die in Cuba for the lack of healthcare."

From the time it was founded with a membership figure of less than 40,000 in Bengal, the DYFI had come a long way, with a membership of close to 58 lakh today. It is a testimony to the correctness of the path the organisation has chosen for itself, concluded Bhattacharya.

Following the decision arrived at its Haldia conference, Bengal DYFI has been notably successful in inducting young women into its fold.

The conference resolved to organise a survey amongst the youth in Bengal to find out the impact of the changes due to 25 years of a Left Front government in office. The data gathered during the survey will be later discussed at local and zonal convention throughout Bengal. The Left Front government will then be apprised of the kind of changes the youth expect of it in the present situation.

Addressing the conference, veteran communist leader and former chief minister Jyoti Basu said the youth must realise, now more than ever, the crucial role a mass organisation may play in the struggle against religious fundamentalism. He called for constant evaluation of the DYFI’s ongoing efforts across the state in order to further augment its mass base. Basu stressed the need to further increase the circulation of the state DYFI’s mouthpiece, Yuvashakti. Its circulation stands at one lakh now.

The conference elected a new leadership, with Abdul Hai as the new DYFI state president and Asitanga Ganguly as new state secretary. It also elected a 283-strong state council and a 123-member state committee.

Held at Bankura from June 13 to 16, the state SFI conference dwelt on the complexities that marked the period since its 29th conference. The organisation went from strength to strength and launched successful struggles against the religious fundamentalism, separatism and terrorism.

During the period, the student movement had to ward off the attacks of the People’s War Group-Trinamul Congress combine in the entire south Bengal region, as also in the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar districts in the north where the reactionary forces ganged up with the Kamtapuri separatist elements.

This adverse situation notwithstanding, the conference noted how the SFI was able to register victories in the students union elections in 34 colleges where the elements of reaction held sway. In all, SFI and other leftist students’ organisations together are in office in 301 colleges.

The delegates discussed in detail the weaknesses that continue to plague the organisation. They noted the need to build up the SFI among girl students and further improve the educational infrastructure in the state.

The conference, which was formally inaugurated by noted economist Prabhat Patanaik, ended with a mass rally held at the stadium in the heart of the Bankura township. Jyoti Basu and state SFI addressed the rally, among others.

The conference elected a new SFI leadership, with Sudip Sengupta as its new state president and Apurba Chatterjee as the new state secretary. It also elected a 27-member state secretariat and a 101-member state committee. (INN)