AISA’s National Campaign Against Corruption and State Repression

Convention Against State Repression at Jadavpur University

In the backdrop of massive scams and corporate loot, intensified crackdown on movements, state repression, and the conviction of Binayak Sen, AISA organised a nation-wide campaign between 11-19 January 2011. The slogan was “NO to rampant corruption, NO to loot of our national resources, NO to state repression.” As part of the campaign, on 11th January, rallies and strikes were organised in various campuses.

Uttarakhand:

In Uttarakhand, 11th January (which is also the martyrdom day of Comrade Nagendra Saklani) was observed as ‘Anti-corruption’ day. On this occasation, a dharna an effigy burning was organized at Gandhi Park in Dehradun. A convention against state repression, and against Dr. Binayak Sen’s conviction was also held in Dehradun on 18th January.

Convention Held at Dehradun

West Bengal:

AISA held a protest demonstration in Kolkata on 11th January against corruption, as part of AISA’s national campaign. This demonstration was held at Jadavpur University, and was followed by an effigy burning.

On 14th January, Friday an open convention was organized by AISA in Jadavpur University, demanding unconditional release of Dr. Binayak Sen and annulment of IPC 124a Sedition Act. The convention was addressed by Poet Nabarun Bhattachariya, Sabyasachi Deb, Prof. Samantak Das, Prof. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, Prof. Kunal Chattopadhyay, Dr. Debashis Mukherjee from Forum for Peoples Health, and student representatives from other organizations such as FETSU, AIDSO and USDF.

All speakers univocally supported the demands of the convention. The convention initially was planned to be held at Vivekananda Hall, but the Authority did not allow this programme to be held, saying that it is not an “academic” but a “political” program. Nitish Roy, Raka Bhattachariya, Sanjay Tiwari, Piku of Paschim Banga Ganasanskriti Parisad sang in the convention.

Tamil Nadu:

In Kumbakonam of Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, a total strike was observed in the Government Arts and Science College; and the strike was also observed in another college, with the total participation of more than 2000 students.

New Delhi:

On 11th January, a rally was held in Delhi University. Also, a protest poetry writing workshop was held in Jamia Millia Islamia. At JNU, AISA organised a slogan writing programme against corruption and state repression. On 19 January, a massive convention against state repression was held at Delhi University. The convention was addressed by a large number of DU faculty, Prof. Jean Dreze, Nandini Sundar, Shamsul Islam, Neeraj Malik, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and poet Viren Dangwal amongst others.

In both Jadavpur and Delhi University, authorities tried to stop the conventions by withdrawing permission, and in Delhi University ABVP goons physically attacked the convention. However due to massive participation of students, teachers and democratic academics and intelligentsia, both the conventions were a great success.

Bihar:

On 19 January, students’ strike was successfully observed in Patna and Magadh University and their affiliated colleges, Tilka Majhi University (Bhagalpur), Bir Kunwar Singh University (Ara), Lalit Narayan Mithila University (Darbhanga). In Bhagalpur, students also gheraoed the senate meeting on the same day which was met with severe police repression and several AISA leaders were framed under false charges. Students continued with the protest on the 20 January also. Police reacted with still greater repression and arrested several AISA leaders and booked five of them under Section 307 of IPC.

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5 thoughts on “AISA’s National Campaign Against Corruption and State Repression

  1. As a student of Jadavpur University, I strongly protest against an incident which unfortunately took place in our very campus! A programme was organised by the Dept. of Comparative Literature where marginal folk artists were invited to perform. One of them was a poor Muslim ‘pot’ singer. When he began to sing a song condemning the Gyaneswari train sabotage and the killing of hundreds of innocent passengers and the hypocritical act of the Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee, one of the teachers of the Department, Abhik Majumder suddenly forced the artist to stop his performance and step down from the stage.

    I strongly protest against such undemocratic, atrocious act. Please join in protest against this rape of the freedom of a folk artist.

  2. Bharat Mata Ki Jai
    We support Shri. Anna hazare
    Movement of Anti Corruption Bill (Lokpal bill)
    Civil Society a part of 50% must be a Joint committee member to draft bill)
    Name:
    Full Address
    Indian Identification Number (Passport No.
    Phone Number:
    Please send your voice to : lokpalbill0@gmail.com,
    Please send e-mail to Hon’ble Her. Excellency President of India : presidentofindia@rb.nic.in (Note: please do not misuse )

  3. Most of the communities in India (such as Bengali), are succumbed in ‘Culture of Poverty'(a theory introduced by an American anthropologist Oscar Lewis), irrespective of class or economic strata, lives in pavement or apartment. Nobody is at all ashamed of the deep-rooted corruption, decaying general quality of life, worst Politico-administrative system, weak mother language, continuous absorption of common space (mental as well as physical, both). We are becoming fathers & mothers only by self-procreation, mindlessly & blindfold. Simply depriving their(the children) fundamental rights of a decent, caring society, fearless & dignified living. Do not ever look for any other positive alternative behaviour (values) to perform human way of parenthood, i.e. deliberately co-parenting of those children those are born out of ignorance, real poverty. All of us are being driven only by the very animal instinct. If the Bengali people ever be able to bring that genuine freedom (from vicious cycle of ‘poverty’) in their own life/attitude, involve themselves in ‘Production of Space’(Henri Lefebvre), at least initiate a movement by heart, decent & dedicated Politics will definitely come up.
    – Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, 16/4, Girish Banerjee Lane, Howrah-711101, India.

  4. Look at the corruption nexus bettween politicians, judiciary, academics etc…It is time students fight against corruption in all levels and join Anna hazare movement


    Addressed From:
    Student Reprsentatives of Adhiyaman College of Engineering
    Addressed To:
    Smt. MEIRA KUMAR, LOK SABHA SPEAKER
    20 Akbar Road, New Delhi – 110 011
    ACTION REQUESTED: STUDENTS REQUEST – DISQUALIFY DR. THAMBI DURAI FROM 2G SPECTRUM SCAM JOINT PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE & MP
    Respected Madam,
    We request you to remove Dr. Thambi Durai (AIADMK MP) from 2G spectrum scam JPC. Following reasons
    – We are students and college staff members in Adhiyaman College of Engineering (Address: Dr. MGR Nagar, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, PIN CODE – 635109). Dr. Bhanumathi is our Chairperson (Wife of Dr. Thambi Durai)
    – Dr. Thambi Durai is a corrupted individual. In our opinion, he is not qualified to investigate corruption of other politicians.
    – He and his wife own about 10 Engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu and many other colleges in Faridabad, UP (Adhiyaman Educational Trust). Their value is Rs. 3000 Crore rupees, but his election affidavit hides this detail. Many in college management told that he gave false details to Election commission. Election Commission, please start investigation
    – Tamil Nadu state Government Education department stipulates Engineering colleges should collect tuition fees as per their ceiling limits (Approx. Rs. 45,000 per year). But Adhiyaman Engineering college authorities collect money from students at a double rate (Rs. 80,000 per year). Forcing poor middle class students to pay higher fees is a crime. We have evidence records to prove.
    – College Management prepares fake salary vouchers to show to UGC and AICTE. College staff is paid very less salary in hand. They are also angry about this cheating
    – Even when DMK was ruling, Adhiyaman college authorities were never afraid about the Government and still collected higher tuition fees. Thambi Durai has friends in DMK and he used to threaten in case of student complaints. How do you expect him to probe and bring out truth in 2G scam when DMK members are his friends
    – In DMK ruling, Thambi Durai and his Management involved in several corrupt dealings to receive Government aids and licenses. To change our college status (Government aided college status), college Management paid Rs. 50 Lakh to former Vice Chancellor Dr. Radha Krishnan. Later Dr. Radha Krishnan was arrested (corruption). One AICTE inspection member was also paid by Dr. Radha Krishnan. We have bank transaction details proof and willing cooperate in secret. This money was given to a trust owned by Dr. Radha Krishnan’s wife in Coimbatore.
    – Dr. Thambi Durai bribed many Vice Chancellors and Education Minister in DMK period. He is involved in many money dealings with them and he made two Vice Chancellors (Dr. Viswanathan and Dr. S. Kaliappan) to join his party (AIADMK). Vice Chancellors helped Dr. Thambi Durai in many approvals and licenses. No complaint about Adhiyaman college is never investigated by Education Department
    – UGC members and AICTE members are also paid in money for keeping quiet. Old Coimbatore VC Radha Krishnan knows all details
    – We have no trust State Government will take action. No action in DMK government and definitely no action in AIADMK government
    – Relatives of Bangalore Court Judge (B M Mallikarjuniah) studying in our college. Tuition is completely free for them. Everything is free for them. This Judge is handling some important cases related to MP Mr. Thambi Durai. Sometimes relatives of this judge stayed in our Guest house. He can even bribe Judges, and close the case. Very powerful person
    – He used many staff members and students to give money voters in Karur (MP election in 2009). 70 crores spent in election. Unaccounted money in Adhiyaman Educational trust was illegally transferred to Karur and distributed to voters (Rupees 500 for one vote, Rupees 2000 for one family). It is an open secret in college.
    Based on reasons, please remove corrupt AIADMK MP Dr Thambi Durai from 2G spectrum JPC and disqualify him as MP. Please start corrupt cases against him. Jail him.

    If no action from you, we go for hunger strike. Some of our poor
    ………………..
    ……………….

    Respectfully,
    Student Representatives of Adhiyaman Engineering College & Management Staff

    Carbon Copy To:
    1) Mr. PC Chacko, MP, JPC Chairperson
    2) CEC, Election Commission of India
    3) 2G JPC Members
    4) Chief Vigilance Commission
    …………….
    …………….
    14) Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Janata Party”

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