The 10th All-India Students’ Conference, organized by the All-India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), commenced on November 27, 2024, at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium. Spanning three days, the event is focused on opposing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, under the theme “Save Education, Culture and Humanity.”
Highlights from Day One
Opening Session Dedicated to Birsa Munda
The conference began with the hoisting of the AIDSO flag and the inauguration of three exhibitions:
- Quotation Exhibition by economist Prof Arun Kumar.
- Art Exhibition by Prof Nandita Narain, former president of DUTA and FEDCUTA.
- Photo Exhibition by Prof Sachidanand Sinha, retired JNU professor and president of the Institute of Indian Geographers.
Key Speeches Criticizing NEP 2020
Several prominent academics and activists shared their critiques of NEP 2020:
- Prof Chaman Lal, adviser to the Bhagat Singh Archives and Resource Centre, described NEP 2020 as a policy accelerating privatization and commercialization of education, eroding its character-building aspect and cultural significance.
- Arun Kumar Singh, former AIDSO president, emphasized the importance of student movements, citing the public’s dissatisfaction with the current state of education.
Messages from leading historians added depth to the discussion:
- A video message by Prof Irfan Habib stressed the necessity of public education.
- A written statement by Prof Romila Thapar, Professor Emerita at JNU, was read aloud.
Participation and Cultural Performances
The conference saw active involvement from Left and democratic student organizations, including AISA, AISF, AISB, and PSU, which emphasized the need for collective action to safeguard public education.
The day concluded with a cultural session featuring performances celebrating India’s diversity. The session was inaugurated by Dr Gauhar Raza, poet and former CSIR chief scientist, who called for unity against exclusionary educational policies.
A Call for Collective Action
The first day ended with Sourav Ghosh, AIDSO’s general secretary, urging a mass movement to protect public education:
“We urge students and citizens to unite and raise their voices to protect public education.”
The conference continues to highlight the challenges posed by NEP 2020 while fostering dialogue and solidarity among students and educators.
