SFI All India Girls Students Convention Begins

 All India Girls Convention on the central theme "Fight Patriarchy," organised  Students Federation of India (SFI) began on 10th July in the hill city of Shimla. The Convention began with a huge students rally which was inaugurated by CPIM PB member Com. Brinda Karat. SFI activists took out rally from the old railway building to Sabzi Mandi (Vegitable market) ground.    Com. Brinda Karat has said that she will raise the issue of introduction of semester system and choice based credit system (CBCS) under the RashtriyaUchchtarShikhsaAbhiyan (RUSA) during the next parliamentary session. The new academic process has been introduced by Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) for its campus courses and affiliated colleges across the state, which has met with vociferous protests from different student organisations. 


Brinda said, "HP government and HPU have forced the new system of RUSA on students without holding prior discussions with them and other stakeholders. It is an outcome of the neo-liberal polices of the respective governments in the state as well as the Centre. The governments are bent on replicating systems, which are prevalent in America, including the four-year degree programme." 

She added that other parliamentarians too would raise voice against RUSA as it is aimed at uprooting the Indian education system. Karat said, "HPU has set a precedent in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in ensuring equality and a liberal atmosphere to girls as their enrolment rate is nearly 67% here, which is commendable." 
       Expressing concern over the increasing crimes against women, she said it is the need of the hour to ensure autonomy for women, treat them as equal individuals and provide a secure and safe atmosphere. "Keeping in view the increasing assaults, it is necessary to ensure certainty of punishment and see that offenders complete their term of punishment," she remarked. 

SFI Himachal Pradesh state secretary Khushi Verma said, "SFI has organised the convention to discuss issues like condition of girl students and increasing need of security for college and university girls in HP and other states. Safety of women in society at large and stringent steps to curb sexual crimes are also on the agenda."
   

Huge Response to LDFHartal in Kerala a clear sign of Peoples anger towards Congress Government

The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by Left Democratic Front in Kerala was total as government offices, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closedacross the state. Barring some two-wheelers and private vehicles, the roads here were largely deserted. Supporters of the hartal staged marches in different parts state.The hartal called by the Left Democratic Front was in protest against the police attack on MLAs and to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister. 

The people of Kerala who whole heartedly received the call of dawn to hartal by Left Democratic Front has given a staunch warning to the most corrupt Chief Minister’s brutal action to the protestors including the opposition leader and MLA’s. Normal life was totally disrupted in the state due to the 12 hour hartal in Solar Scam.

Except for a few private vehicles and two wheelers, other modes of transport were off the roads. Shops and hotels remained closed. All educational institutions and government offices including courts were also remained closed. State transport corporation’s buses were also remained stand still. In some centers including Alappuzha, and Kottayam the police force has made provocation which led to some untoward incidents.

In every district and local centers, thousands of LDF activists hold huge demonstrations braving the torrential rain across the state. Response of the people to the protest was overwhelming. The LDF has been on the agitation path for the past two weeks seeking to corner the government over the multi-crore solar panel scam which has brought the Chief Minister’s Office under a cloud.

Security had been tightened all over the state in view of the hartal. The LDF has been on the agitation path for the past two weeks seeking resignation of Chief Minister over the multi-crore solar panel scam which has brought the Chief Minister’s Office under a cloud.
LDF decided to launch a continuous struggle till the victory. LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan informed that Left Trade Unions, Kisan and Agriculture workers organizations will hold march to secretariat on 12th and 15th. Left students and youth organizations’ march will be on 16th and 19th. On 22nd   and 23rd peoples’ representatives of LDF will hold 48 hour sit in in Thiruvananthapuram.

At the same time, Chandy, who firmly rejected the demand for his resignation, has dismissed the charges against him as “a political conspiracy”.