Adarsh M Saji
The 2024 Lok Sabha election result is a testament to the people’s commitment to democracy and the Constitution. Despite the BJP’s relentless efforts to dominate, the people have denied them an absolute majority, something what they managed in 2014 and 2019. This election unfolded amid an aggressive assault on the people in general, opposition parties, widespread misuse of central agencies, the heavy hand of money power and communal divison. The struggles of students, youths, farmers, workers, and other sections fighting against corporate-hindutva authoritarianism have led to the BJP’s setback. Even if the BJP forms a coalition government, a strong and united opposition on the parliament and streets is crucial to counter their pro-corporate and communal agenda. Post-election, three major developments have emerged for students: increased attacks on students, the failure and exposure of the NTA in conducting exams, and the neglect of student needs in the Union Budget 2024-25.
The witch-hunt of students and the suppression of free expression in universities have intensified. Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, a member of the SFI Central Executive Committee, was debarred from TISS Mumbai for participating in and speaking at the United Students of India’s joint rally in Delhi. IIT Bombay and NIT Calicut have imposed huge fines on students for performing in plays or gathering inside their own campuses, while Hyderabad Central University has suspended student activists. Other universities, like JNU, have also imposed fines and suspensions for peaceful protests and academic activities. The most alarming development is the blatant involvement of university administrations in celebrating the BJP’s electoral victories. During the election campaign, TISS saw its administration misuse the model code of conduct to intimidate students opposing the BJP. Once the BJP-led NDA secured enough seats, on 4th June, institutions like IIT Bombay and NIT Calicut swiftly took disciplinary actions. This pattern is evident in other universities like HCU, PU, JNU etc. as well. Universities must be spaces for diversity, critical thinking, and free expression, not instruments of BJP’s regressive divisive agenda. All politically motivated disciplinary actions against students who oppose BJP policies should be repealed immediately.
Despite their recent electoral setback, the BJP remains unresponsive to student concerns. Students across India continue to protest against the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) rampant corruption, which has led to exam paper leaks and malpractices in NEET exams, resulting in the cancellation of NET and CSIR NET exams. On July 4th, a nationwide protest and student strike demanded the scrapping of the NTA system, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for affected students, and a rollback of the mandatory NET score requirement for PhD admissions. Students are also opposing centralized entrance tests that foster entrance mafias and demanding an end to the victimization of student activists and suppression of free expression in universities like TISS Mumbai, IIT Bombay, and Hyderabad Central University. Additionally, students are protesting against school closures. The historic protests organized by the SFI and other progressive student groups highlight students’ unwavering commitment to their demands. This also shows that the BJP’s centralized approach to competitive exams is not only profit-driven but also exposes the NTA’s incompetence. The NTA must be dissolved, and a decentralized structural change with quality must be established to ensure students’ futures are protected.
The 2024 budget has failed to address critical issues in education despite the urgent needs of India’s children. Anganwadis, essential for providing nutrition and early childhood education, have faced a 1.5% budget cut. The PM-Poshan scheme (mid-day meal program) has seen funding reduced from ₹12,680.97 crores in 2022 to ₹12,467.39 crores in 2024, showing a disturbing neglect of vital nutrition programs. Additionally, many government schools lack basic infrastructure like electricity, but the budget only increases funding for school education by less than 1%. Higher education faces a 17% cut, with a drastic 60% reduction in funding for the University Grants Commission (UGC) and severe cuts across numerous schemes and scholarships. The budget fails to prioritize essential improvements, jeopardizing the quality and accessibility of education for India’s youth. Instead, the government has focused on headline-grabbing tactics like renaming and merging schemes, diverting attention from real issues. As the SFI CEC rightly pointed out, this budget is anti-student and must be opposed.
If the BJP had not come to power, attacks on students might not have happened, the NTA scam might have been investigated or prevented, and students could have received a more supportive Union Budget. The first two and a half months of the NDA government have once again shown the urgent need for students to unite against the authoritarian and communal forces led by the BJP.
The people of Wayanad in Kerala recently faced unprecedented and devastating landslides, one of the most severe in recent history. Student Struggle pays tribute and extends heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their families. We also congratulate the politicized students and youth, including members of the SFI, DYFI, and other organizations, for their commitment to organizing people across for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts that upholds the very principles of harmony and social responsibility. Congratulations to the SFI units for supporting students who lost family members, houses, school and study materials, supporting their future education.