Nagpur: AISA national president Neha Bora launched a sharp attack on the central and state governments over unemployment, the chaos in education, the government’s alleged neglect of students’ concerns and the alleged tendency to brand those who speak out against the authorities as anti-national.
She appealed to students and ordinary citizens in Nagpur to shed their fear and take to the streets to protect democracy. Bora extended her support to tribal students in Nagpur who are protesting over various demands.
“Those who speak against the government are called Pakistani. When tribal students raise their voices for their rights, they are branded ‘urban Naxalites’. But now students across the country are asking questions. Their voices cannot be silenced,” Bora said.
She alleged that although the government had made grand claims about development, its benefits had reached those in power rather than ordinary people. She also said the government had no concrete answer about the future of young people despite the seriousness of the unemployment crisis.
Referring to student protests, farmers’ protests and various democratic struggles, Bora said, “We have not forgotten the batons that fell on our friends, the tears in their eyes and the lives lost in the struggle. The government has created fear among the people over the past decade; now is the time to cast off this fear and build the struggle again.”
Criticising the policies of the central government, she also targeted the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Nagpur is known as a bastion of the RSS; but the people here must prove that Nagpur is not a bastion of the RSS, but of democracy and the Constitution,” she appealed.
“The struggle against those in power in Maharashtra must begin in Nagpur. Strengthen the student movement. We are with you; you too should join our struggle,” Bora said, calling on the people of Nagpur to launch a protest.
Meanwhile, Bora warned that if the government did not urgently address students’ concerns, the agitation would be intensified further.
