Neha Bora with Srijan Bhattacharya at JU on Monday
Kolkata: AISA national president Neha Bora said Bengal has historically defended progressive thought and democracy, and called upon the state and its people to defend its progressive roots and democracy once again. Condemning the attacks on educational institutions like JU and SRFTI by right-wing supporters, she said it is the people whose blood was shed in Delhi, in JU, and in SRFTI; perhaps only “we can understand each other” and “there is deep solidarity across the nation: if blood flows in Delhi, Kolkata is hurt, and if Kolkata bleeds, Delhi will undoubtedly rise up”. But they don’t understand that the people who have kept the student and people’s movements alive in all these places come from the legacy of the Left,” Bora said.
She alleged that BJP thought that they would rule Bengal with an iron fist and to do that they crafted something specific for Bengal, and that was Special Intensive Revision. “They want to beat us into submission.
Bengal CJP convener Dedipya Ganguly called for people’s support for the Jantar Mantar protest on Oct 10 against Kumar’s resignation and to scrap SIR.
The full-fledged war waged against the people of the country has now reached Bengal, according to her. And to do that, they crafted something specific for Bengal, and that was the SIR… When you deceitfully snatch our vote away, you snatch the essential soul out of democracy,” Bora said, adding, “Time and again throughout history, Bengal has defended its progressive thought, democracy, and the entire country. Those from the legacy of the left must unite to build a movement that recognises this lie,” Bora said. SRFTI students’ union president Blossom Hazarika said, “This attack on educational institutions is a repetitive pattern that we are seeing across the country. JU student and DYSA member Udita Bedajna said, “CEC Gyanesh Kumar must be made accountable for vote theft.
“They (BJP) think that they have enjoyed so many years in power and now it is Bengal’s turn. They will rule Bengal with an iron fist. It is once again up to Bengal to defend itself, its progressive roots, the entire nation, and the democracy the people are so proud of. The research scholar alleged that RSS and BJP only understand violence and have no concern for education, employment, or public infrastructure. “However, it is now clear to everyone that the mandate they boast about to justify their violence was nothing but a lie and a treachery of democracy and the Indian Republic. Our institute stands in a state of fear. But as students of art and cinema, we will continue this fight against any oppression and any sense of fascism through our cinema and art. Talking about the proposed ISI bill, ISI research scholar Udvas highlighted how the public education model will be destroyed and autonomy will be stripped away. Ninety-lakh voters were disenfranchised. If BJP thinks that they will intimidate people by using this mandate, then they are wrong.
Condemning the attack on Presidency student, Aalekh Jyoti Das, and an ex-student at SRFTI on Sunday, Ispat Presidency stated political aggression has no place in educational institutions.