Skip to main content

Students groups condemn saffron terror on Varanasi and Allahabad campuses

By Harsh Thakor
 
The Bhagat Singh Chatra Morcha in Varanasi Hindu University campus and Inquilabi Chatra Morcha in Allahabad University campus have been playing a vanguard role as mascots in the crusade against Brahmanical fascism and been consistent torch bearers in shimmering the views of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh. They have done the utmost to integrate or fuse the views of Ambedkar with Bhagat Singh. In recent years it has undertaken prolonged struggles for rights of dalit students and for general students on issues of privatisation of education, fee hikes etc.It has earned the wrath of the saffron brigade like no other force on the campus which is perfectly illustrated by the victimisation of one of it's activists on April 14th.
The BCM was staging a programme commemorating B.R. Ambedkar, on April 14th in BHU campus highlighting how the no-fascist BJP was patronising all culture alienating the dalit community and championing the hegemony of the Brahman caste. They equated Hindutva with the anti-people economic policies and how was an integral part of every rung of society .In no uncertain times they condemned the sheer indifference of the rulers to the economic disparity prevailing and the crushing of all dissent. No stone was left unturned in summarizing how Brahamanical ideology was fascism and its penetration in every sphere of society would breed the ground for fascism to emerge. It was underlined how the student community on the campus must confront Hindu fascism at its' strongest point.
In the very mist of the programme RSS goondas intervened to sabotage it and kidnap activist Yogesh. They vigorously beat him in a corner in Birla Students hostel and threatened to murder him if he pursued his course of action. The Bhagat Singh Chatra Morcha pledged for a united protest campaign from all sections of society to condemn such an attack.
On 26th April at 12 a.m a collective protest was launched in Allahabad University campus by the All India Students Association, Disha Chatra Morcha and Inquilabl Chatra Morcha on the issue of the goondaism prevailing on the campus and launching a sustained attack on the leaders of the democratic organisations in Holland Students hall by Sandeep Saha and his 11 other colleagues .They summarised how communal forces were turning campuses into bastions of Hindutva.They pledged and placed a demand that all the culprits should be brought to the book. They called on students to prepare themselves to build a movement to extinguish Hindutva ideology and placed a demand for democratisation of the campuses..It was also touched upon why the women’s advisory board should take an active initiative in confronting goondaism.Representatives of the various organizations covered different aspects. Vivek of ICM, Dharamraj of Disha, and Manish of AISA addressed the gathering.
A procession was taken to the chief procter's house placing demands of rusticating the culprits involved in the assault .Although small in number, it was qualitatively effective.Most prominent participants were Devendra, Azad, Vivek, Dharamraj, Sonu, Pankaj, Vikas,Vishal, Anurag, Sultanvi, Ambrish, Ramchandra, Som and Ashish.
It is heartening that with great determination democratic forces are galvanizing forces collectively to resist the saffron error in college campuses. Even if not so quantitatively strong seeds are being sown for secular roses to bloom. The most qualitative contribution has been made by the Bhagat Singh Chatra Morcha and the Inquilabi Chatra Morcha who are determined to fight feudalism, imperialism and fascism to the last core.
---
Harsh Thakor is a freelance journalist. Toured India, particularly Punjab. Written on mass movements. Also attended conferences of Bhagat Singh Chatra Morcha and other events in Uttar Pradesh condemning Hindu Communalism

Comments

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas*  November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.  

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad*  The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. 

Green Revolution’s reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides contributing to Punjab's health crisis

By Bharat Dogra, Jagmohan Singh*  Punjab was once synonymous with robust health, particularly in its rural areas, where farmers were known for their strength and vitality. However, in recent years, reports from these villages tell a different story, with rising cases of serious health issues, including cancer. What led to this decline? The answer lies largely in the erosion of good nutrition, once a hallmark of Punjabi village life. The health of a population is closely tied to its nutrition, and Punjab's reputation as a provider of high-quality nutrition has suffered greatly. The loss of biodiversity in agriculture has led to a decrease in the variety and quality of crops, resulting in poorer nutrition. Pulses, a key source of protein, have seen a steep decline in cultivation due to the disruption of traditional farming practices by the Green Revolution. This has had a detrimental effect on both soil and human health. Although pulses are still available in the market, they are exp

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor*  Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.