Sixteen students’ wings associated with the Opposition’s INDIA bloc called for a protest at Jantar Mantar against the New Education Policy, and alleged privatisation, and commercialisation of education.
These student organisations have come together under the banner of ‘United Students of India’ to protest against the National Education Policy, 2020. Around 16 student outfits have called for mega protests in New Delhi and on February 1 in Chennai as part of their demonstration against the revised scheme.
The alliance includes the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students’ Association (AISA), All India Students’ Federation (AISF), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), the student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and other tribal and Dravidian student political parties.
While speaking to India Today TV, Aishe Ghosh, SFI leader and JNUSU President, said, “Funds spent by the government are not sufficient. Government schools are closing, colleges are in bad shape, and the academic condition is worsening.”
“The pandemic has brought the worst conditions for students, and it has decreased financial assistance. This protest is against the anti-student policies of India,” Ghosh added.
Students from various colleges and universities joined the protest, holding on to their respective outfits’ flags and some with the Tricolour. Earlier, the United Students of India planned a march towards Parliament, but later, Jantar Mantar was chosen as the venue for the protest.
The alliance of Opposition student outfits is in line with the recent formation of the Opposition parties’ bloc INDIA. A statement by the United Students of India said, “The attack on quality education in India is scaling dangerous heights under the current BJP-led union government.”
Many students from regional parties like DMK, RLD, RJD, JDU, and SP were present at the protest site.
Other student outfits that are part of the front include CRJD, DMK Student Wing, DSF, PSF, RLD Chattra Sabha, Samajwadi Chattra Sabha, AISB, and Tribal Students.