The Hindu : New Delhi News : SFI march against ‘failed promises’ of UPA Govt.

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SFI march against ‘failed promises’ of UPA Govt.

Staff Reporter

Photo: Anu Pushkarna

‘Down, down’: Members of Students’ Federation of India protesting against “failed promises” of the UPA Government in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: The Students’ Federation of India organised a march to Parliament here on Friday protesting against “failed promises” of the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre.

Participants from 20 States

The SFI alleged that the Centre had “betrayed” the student community that played an important role in the fight against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Students from over 20 States took part in the rally that was flagged off from Mandi House by senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury.

Addressing the students, Mr. Yechury charged that in the past five years the UPA had failed to deliver on its promises and had not been able to rein in commercialisation of education in the country.

SFI president P.K. Biju urged the students to unite and fight for a secular, democratic and pro-people political alternative to the BJP and the Congress.

The SFI also lamented that the Centre had “failed to ensure the democratic rights of the student community”: despite the Lyngdoh Committee recommending elections in all higher educational institutions, the Government had taken no initiative in this regard.

Right to Education Bill

“The UPA Government has shown reluctance to enact the Right to Education Bill. The students must rise to the occasion and give a fitting reply to the Central Government for its betrayal of the aam aadmi,” said SFI general secretary Ritabrata Banerjee.

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