Raju Kumar Sahu, Hyderabad Central University Students’ Union General Secretary, dwells on his disillusion with the Students’ Federation of India in his explosive resignation letter, which also mentions the selfish politics which forced Rohith Vemula to take the extreme step. Here is the full version of Raju’s resignation letter
When I joined the Hyderabad Central University (HCU), I was an apolitical person, because I belong to a poor family and so my sympathies are always with the downtrodden. I wanted to work sincerely for the empowerment of the marginalised. During my HCU heyday, I came closer to the ideology of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which appealed to me because its manifesto speaks about the revolution of proletariat and saving the poor from exploitation. I became an active worker and wholeheartedly started working for the SFI. Accepting the decision of the SFI, I contested election for the post of general secretary of the HCU Students’ Union and I won. But after being disenchanted with the “reality,” I am resigning from the post.
Affairs of SFI
The present state of affairs at the SFI, HCU unit, reflects a murky state. After working for quite some time in the SFI, I realised that the office-bearers of the union cannot express their voice independently. Even the common workers follow the directions from the top brass without questioning. Now, I understand the politics of SFI is not based on principles but opportunistic. The process starts right from the selection of the candidates for union elections, wherein caste and communal cards are played heavily. Similarly, region and religion are also major focus of the SFI politics.
It appeared to me strange that on one hand we fought against the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA) at the Hyderabad Central University and on the other hand, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) is formed with a different motive. Initially, I thought that the fight is really for the social justice, which I wholeheartedly support even today. However, slowly I felt that the students’ union has been effectively hijacked by the JAC to mount continuous attack on selected persons. Students are misguided by concocted stories. These stories are imaginary and in the nature of individual tales of alleged discrimination by faculty members and certain sections. As far as my experience goes, these stories, including the videos of individual narrations and those of atrocities by police, are spread through the media only to generate sympathy and garner undue mileage.
As part of this false propaganda, the SFI has forgotten its true purpose of serving the students. The JAC or the SFI unit at the HCU is controlled by external forces. The opinions of its cadre have no value, and when I tried to raise my voice, there were no takers. The SFI top brass works as dictators and they led the entire environment in the wrong directions apparently to serve the selfish interests and interests of their masters. After and before the death of Rohith Vemula, I have seen the developments in the university very closely. I don’t feel shame to reveal the truth here that some sections of university teachers are responsible for aggravating situation in the HCU just for their political gains. As per my understanding, the movement is massively funded by the Congress, the left and opportunist forces of the country.
Rohit Vemula: Victim of SFI
Rohith Vemula was a sensitive person. He was active in the SFI for a few years. He also felt isolated and alienated in the SFI and could not tolerate the opportunistic politics played by the SFI for sheer political gains. That’s why in his suicide note he mentioned that “an individual is reduced to his immediate identity”. Probably, the SFI did not find him useful, though he was fully committed to its ideology and was an active worker. later he was disillusioned and went on to join the ASA. It was very unfortunate that he believed in radical methods to achieve justice for the poor. I think, the SFI nurtured the feelings of hatred in him which he was displaying against to all others who he considered his enemies. It is very unfortunate that he committed suicide.
Current affairs at HCU
After long suffering, I realised that for the SFI and other organisations which are part of the JAC, the lives of common students do not matter. They are hell bent on continuing the agitation at any cost. They fear that calling off the strike would jeopardise their political career. Certain faculty members and outsiders, including politicians, also want the agitation to go on. Common students like me whose primary purpose is to study are worst affected.
The contradictions
It is also surprising for me that on one hand the SFI states that it does not support terrorists like Yakub Memon, but it plays opportunistic politics by supporting these people who organise namaz-e-janaja in the memory of Yakub Memon, wherein he has been glorified as a martyr. The SFI is selective in supporting a programme depending on its political convenience. The office-bearers of the students’ union have no independence and they are forced to toe the line dictated by external forces from the CPI(M) and the Congress.
It is also surprising to me that the JAC demands justice for Rohith Vemula, but doesn’t co-operate in the enquiry conducted by judicial commission which is headed by a retired High Court Judge. A member of the JAC and leader of the ASA filed cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act against certain persons, but doesn’t want to come clean on the caste of Rohith Vemula. It is also surprising that the JAC or the ASA is not demanding a CBI enquiry into the circumstances in which Rohith Vemula committed suicide. The leaders of the JAC and the SFI make serious allegations against certain professors and are actively supported by some faculty members who have vested interest. Most importantly, it is very painful for me to see that students don’t show respect to the professors and call them by names. It is also painful to note that students are instigated to indulge in vandalism by the leaders of JAC, SFI, ASA and others to destroy the HCU.
I wish that the massive money support to the agitation should also come to light. Daily rent of tent is around Rs5,000 and three months have been passed already. lavish food is served to students free of cost. large-scale events are organised. Certain individual members of the movement are having lavish party every day. Rallies are organised periodically and political leaders from outside are invited. Thousands of colour posters are printed and distributed. From where does the fund comeIJ As a participant of the movement, I confirm that massive funds are flowing. I am keen to know the source of such funds. Beef and chicken were served during the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
My opinion
The real losers of the entire game are none other than the common students, who have suffered in terms of placements. Reputed companies, like Oracle, have refused to come for the campus recruitment and, today the image of the HCU is tarnished and genuine students are having fears in mind whether to join the HCU or not.
The students’ union, which was supposed to be the impartial body taking care of welfare of all students has been hijacked by a few individuals and organisations to serve their nefarious activities.
I have come forward because I’m not able to bear the contradictations, the wrong methods employed and the wrong way in which the movement is being carried forward by JAC, SFI, ASA. My loneliness and alienation are affecting my studies and also apparently driving me towards the unfortunate path undertaken by Rohith Vemula. I think coming into open and getting distanced from the wrong way would save me from the doom.
What do I wantIJ
1. I request the JAC and its constituents to immediately stop the agitation and adopt constitutional methods for achieving justice for Rohith Vemula. The facts can be presented before the judicial commission and also in the cases pending before the High Court.
2. JAC/SFI/ASA should distance themselves from political parties and professors should not be allowed to participate in the agitation, because vested interests by certain faculty members can cause long-term damage to the HCU.
3. JAC/ASA/SFI must stop the name calling, particularly to professors and the Vice Chancellor (VC). If the VC is found to be guilty, he would be convicted anyway. Till that time, no one has any right to indict him.
4. JAC/SFI/ASA should immediately abandon the politics of hatred and adopt politics of cooperation and reconciliation so that the HCU can retain its academic superiority.
5. The problems at the HCU should not be looked into from the myopic vision of caste, and efforts should be made by all the students towards academic progress of the HCU, wherein adequate procedures are immediately evolved to safeguard the interests of the marginalised.
6. The students’ union cannot take partial approach. While seeking justice for Rohith Vemula, it cannot be ignored that another student Susheel Kumar was attacked during midnight by a gang of ASA. The students’ union has to unequivocally condemn to the attack and seek justice for Susheel also. They should demand a CBI enquiry into the incident.
7. The JAC should declare its accounts, since the protest event against the death of Rohith Vemula till date, and details of funding
lastly, I quote those 11 lines from the suicide note of Rohith Vemula; those will justify my words…
“ASA, SFI, anything and everything exist for their own sake. Seldom the interest of a person and this organisation matches. To get power, to become famous or to be important in between boundaries and to think we are up to changing the system. Very often we
overestimate the acts and find solace in traits. Of course, I must give my credit to both groups for making, introducing me to wonderful literature and people.”
(The lines were struck off from Rohith’s suicide note.)
At this junction, it is necessary to remember three warnings given by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar in his Constituent Assembly address on November 25, 1949:
“If I wish to maintain democracy, not merely in form but also in fact what must we doIJ”
The first thing we must do is to hold protests according to Constitutional methods. It means that we must abandon the violent method of revolution.
Second, we must observe the caution which JS Mill has given to all who are interested in democracy; namely, not to lay their liberties at the feet of even a great men, or to entrust him with power which enables him to subvert their institutions. The third thing we must do is not to be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy, a social democracy as well.
By these above mentioned views, I announce my resignation from the SFI and its opportunistic politics.
let the truth prevail and justice be done because “Satyamev Jayate”.