NSUI reaches out to Left, Dalit outfits against the BJP

The student wing of the Congress, is in talks with Left, Dalit and other student organisations for a “movement” against the BJP and its affiliate ABVP.

The NSUI, the student wing of the Congress, is in talks with Left, Dalit and other student organisations to launch a “sustained and united movement” against the BJP and its affiliate ABVP in colleges and universities across the country on the issue of alleged atrocities on Dalits.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (R) talks during a protest at the University of Hyderabad against the death of Rohith Vemula. (AFP)

The move by the Congress to put the National Students Union of India (NSUI)?at the forefront of the agitation, following the suicide of University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula, is not only to win back the support of the Dalits, who have moved away from the party over the years, but also the student community which had, to a large extent, deserted it in the wake of the anti-corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare in 2011.

“We are trying to reach out to all like-minded student organisations, including the Left and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to launch a united front against BJP and ABVP in colleges and universities across the country,” NSUI chief Roji John said.

In the University of Hyderabad, he said 14 groups, including the NSUI, Dalit organisations and Students Federation of India (SFI), have already launched a united front against the ABVP and its parent party BJP.

Apart from the Left student organisations such as SFI, AISF and AISA, the NSUI will also get in touch with the Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti of the Aam Aadmi Party and Dalit outfits like Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA)?and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan.

“The BJP is misusing its power to support the hooliganism of ABVP while they attack students from weaker sections. It is the duty of all of us to check and counter it,” John said.