AISA Holds Massive Rally in Mumbai Against Privatization, Fee Hikes and Student Suicides in Maharashtra!

On 28th February 2011, AISA held a massive protest rally in Mumbai, culminating at the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha. Hundreds of students from several districts of Maharashtra participated in the rally, demanding the right to a affordable and quality education, and a decent employment. The students also protested against the massive privatization of education in Maharashtra, the huge fee hikes in various colleges and universities, and the growing spate of student suicides across the state.

AISA’s national President Sandeep Singh, AISA’s Maharashtra state secretary Jivan Surude, Comrade Shivaji Pawar, general secretary of Lal Nishaan Party Leninist Comrade Bhimrao Bhansod, mill workers’ leader Comrade Uday Bhatt as well as CPI(ML) leader Comrade Goyalji addressed the rally.

After the protest demonstration, AISA submitted a memorandum to the Maharashtra government, highlighting various demands of the student community. AISA demanded that student union elections be held in all campuses across the state, and that the government should take over charge of all the non-aided colleges in Maharashtra which are marked by massive fees and poor quality of education. AISA also demanded that necessary facilities for students, like hostel accommodation, be provided.