Kochi: The pro-CPM Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has conceded that it has suffered a setback at the national level in the recent past due to the upsurge of communal forces. Speaking to reporters on Thursday after the delegate session of national conference DYFI national president M.B. Rajesh said the setback included a fall in the membership. “The organisation is trying to overcome the setback by resistance and struggle”, Rajesh said.
The growth of the communal forces has hit the overall growth of the progressive forces across the country, he pointed out. Stressing the importance of the alliance of the left and Dalit the DYFI leader called for joint fight by the Lal Salam (red salute) and the Neel Salam (Blue salam) against the forces of fascism. A broad resistance against the fascist forces is necessary and the task call for a unity cutting across political differences, Rajesh said. “The national conference of the DYFI begun in Kochi has commenced such a process”, he added.
The DYFI president also conceded that the late Rohit Vemula and DYFI have differences of opinion on some issues. Radhika and Raja Vemula, sister and brother of Rohit Vemula, have attended the conference expressing solidarity with the idea of broad united front proposed by the DYFI, he added. Mr. Rajesh also stated that the DYFI has been unable to work openly in West Bengal. DYFI workers are facing widespread attacks under the Mamta government. The situation is showing signs of change as the attrition of membership have shown an end with fresh members joining in the organization, he added.
Rajesh also claimed increase in DYFI membership in the states of Bihar, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab. A full-fledged unit of the outfit also started functioning in Gujarat. Justice (retd) Gopal Gowda, former judge of the Supreme Court inaugurated the 10th all India conference on Thursday. Hami Dabolkar, son of the late Narendra Dabolkar, Megha Pansara, daughter of Govind Pansara, Magsaysay Award winner Bezwada Wilson and several other persons addressed inaugural session. Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, economists Dr Prabhat Patnaik and R Ramkuar addressed a session on ‘Union Budget and Youth’.
