Students' Federation of India hamstrung by power, agitations lack teeth
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The SFI which has scripted many a struggles of students in the state is facing criticism following its “soft” stand against the LDF Government. Like in the past the prominent Left student organisation is yet again under criticism for not showing the aggression that it usually does during the UDF government’s tenure. Despite issues like fee hike, corruption, nepotism, Jishnu Prannoy case, atrocities against women and children, barring occasional agitations there has been no consistency in its agitations. Being the front organisations of the ruling coalition their predicament is understandable, but many believe these outfits could still play a major role in highlighting the issues confronting student community even during “peace time.”
However, SFI state secretary M. Vijin refuted the charge that his organisation was soft on the government. “Yesterday we took out a march against the exorbitant MBBS fee. Hundreds of students took part in the agitation,” he said. He admitted that the SFI agitations might not be as aggressive as they used to be during UDF Government’s tenure. But he had an explanation for it; UDF government was totally insensitive to the students issues which often led to violent clashes with the police on the streets. But LDF government is more careful in its approach. Moreover, the intensity of each agitation also depends on the issues that are taken up,” he said.
The SFI leader said there was no question of backing out of its demand for revision of MBBS fee. “The present Rs 5.5 lakh fee for MBBS is totally unacceptable,” he said while warning the government of strong protests. “We are taking out a massive march to secretariat on March 10,” he added. However, another left-led student organisation AISF had a different take on the issue. “Our organisation was in the forefront against LDF government in law academy issue, Jishnu Prannoy agitation and self financing medical college issue,” AISF state secretary Sudesh Sudhakar.
He said the government was not adhering to the promise made in LDF manifesto to uphold merit and principle of social justice. “The government has failed to take students on board on many issues. Barring Law Academy agitation and Haritha Campus Campaign, the government has not held discussions with representatives of student organisations. I think it needs to engage more with student organisations,” he added. The AISF lamented that SFI was not coming on joint platform to take up issues of students. “We hope the LDF government in consultation with the Centre will bring a law to regulate admission and fee structure for self financing colleges,” he said .
