Recently, student unions from across India took inspiration from the farmers’ marches and decided to come together under a single banner, the Young India Adhikar March (YIAM). The March comprises representatives from JNU, Panjab University, AMU, HCU, BHU, FTII, etc. as well as leaders of youth movement on employment like the SSC, Railway, Rozgar Mange India and organisations like AISA, CYSS, Youth for Swaraj, Samajwadi Chhattra Sabha, SYS, Yuva JDS, etc. While this March, from the Red Fort in Delhi to Parliament, is scheduled for Feb. 7, representatives will be join the #IndiaUnites agitation on Feb. 6 at Jantar Mantar.

In 2014, many first-time voters, comprising students and youth, reposed faith in this government as they promised better educational opportunities and two crore jobs per year. The reality of this anti-intellectual government has been far removed, with students from universities across India coming under attack for various reasons. Whether it is the banning of the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle at IIT Madras, political appointments at FTII, the discontinuation of non-NET fellowship by the University Grants Commission, or – most grievously – the suicide of Rohith Vemula, students have been forced time and again to unite and agitate against this government’s policies.

The youth of India are demanding that the government immediately fill the nearly 24 lakh vacant government posts; increase the number of government jobs; stop examination paper leaks; and end corruption in recruitment. They also demand that 10% of India’s GDP should be spent on education and that the government should stop school closures, seat-cuts, fund cuts and fee-hikes, besides “ending saffronisation of education”.

The government MUST ensure academic freedom and freedom of expression on campuses.