AIDSO condemns govt. move to ban student organisations in college polls

All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) has strongly condemned the State government’s move to ban student organisations through the student union elections proposed to be held in pre-university and degree colleges.

“The State government’s idea of preventing any student organisation from entering college campuses is highly objectionable. The entire education system, including higher education, is facing several serious problems. A nation-wide people’s movement is being waged against these issues,” a press release said.

“Elections need to be held to provide a voice to students in policy making and execution. Now, the State government’s decision to keep students away from politics under the pretext of curbing political parties is nothing but an attempt to suppress student movements against the anti-student policies of its own. Student unions should function as a means of addressing problems in colleges. If student organisations are banned, organised student movements will suffer a setback,” the release said.

“Preventing students from adopting any ideology will effectively amount to forcing them to blindly accept everything done by the government. Even while facing so many problems, what kind of students does the government want to create by asking them to remain silent in the face of injustice? When the State government earlier decided to hold student union elections, AIDSO extended its full support to the move. However, the government’s latest stand is a matter of serious concern. It is unfortunate that the Congress, which supports struggles against the policies of the Union government, is now attempting to suppress student movements in the State where it is in power. AIDSO demands that the State government immediately withdraw its decision. AIDSO appeals to students to build a strong movement against this anti-student measure,” it said.

“Several great personalities, including freedom fighters such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh, emerged as freedom fighters while they were students. They called upon students to participate directly in politics,” the release said.

AIDSO secretary Shashikala Meti, convenor B. Mahantesh and others have signed the press release.