People's Democracy

"Give Up Anti-National Policies Or Quit"

SFI-DYFI March To Parliament Serves Ultimatum To Vajpayee Govt

 By Our Correspondent

THEIR slogans were so loud that the BJP-led NDA government bosses sitting some two hundred metres away in the Parliament would have hardly missed them. The slogans were not only loud, they were bristling with anger, which might certainly have sent shivers down the supine spines of these leaders.

 "Shiksha Aur Rozgaar - Hamaara Maulik Adhikaar", "Desh Ko Bechnaa Bandh Karo", "Unite Against Communalism and Terrorism", "Oust This Shameless Govt" … such slogans rent the air at parliament street as thousands of students and youth from across the country held a massive "March To Parliament" on November 21 to lodge their protest against the anti-youth, anti-student policies of the Vajpayee government. It was resolved at this march that a countrywide, continous struggle against Vajpayee government would be launched till the government reverses its anti-national policies or is forced to quit.

 Held under the banner of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students Federation of India (SFI), this march started from Ramlila Maidan in the morning sharp at 11 a m. The march was not only huge - it took more than an hour for it to pass through a point - but it was also colourful. The marchers were from the southernmost state of Kerala to the northernmost Jammu & Kashmir. The Bengal and Kerala contingents were wearing special white caps. The diversity of the nation was reflected in this march, not only in terms of participation but the different languages in which slogans were being given.

 The march culminated into a public meeting at Jantar Mantar which was addressed among others, by the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) central committee member Hannan Mollah, DYFI general secretary, Tapas Sinha and SFI general secretary, Shamik Lahiri. The meeting was presided over by DYFI president N N Krishnadas.

 Sitaram Yechury gave a call to the youth and students of the nation to team up with the people in ridding the nation of the most corrupt, communal Vajpayee government. He felt that it was the only way in which the nation can be saved so as to change it for a better tomorrow. He came down heavily against the Vajpayee government's track record in all sectors. This government's anti people nature is best exemplified by the fact that even as farmers were committing suicides due to lack of food, millions of tonnes were rotting in the FCI godowns, said Sitaram Yechury. Referring to its unprecedented corruption, he termed BJP as really a "party with a difference". He also criticised the failure of the government in dealing with terrorism. He recalled how DYFI-SFI cadres sacrificed their lives in Assam, Punjab, J&K in the cause of safeguarding the nation's unity and integrity.

 Hannan Mollah stressed that this struggle for "education for all and jobs for all" is a long one which needs to carried on vigorously. Referring to Gujarat genocide and Jhajjar lynchings, he said that the youth and students must be in the forefront to defeat the efforts of fascists to divide the nation over caste and communal lines.

 Challenging the communal policies of the Vajpayee government, Tapas Sinha warned that the youth and the students of the country will not let them dictate to the people on their religious beliefs. He announced that DYFI-SFI will launch a countrywide campaign against communal and anti-people policies of the government from December 1 to 7.

 Addressing the gathering, Shamik Lahiri said the education policies of the Vajpayee government were directed only towards the richer sections of the society. He explained how the poorer sections are being driven out of the education system.

 The massive gathering was also addressed by Mohd. Yakub, DYFI leader from J&K and Neena Sharma, SFI vice president.