Leftists student unions claim education shutdown successful

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Left-affiliated student organisations on Friday claimed that a statewide shutdown of educational institutions in Telangana was a success, describing it as a protest against what they termed the Congress government's failure to address the growing crisis in the state's education sector.

The bandh was called jointly by several student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students' Federation (AISF), Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), All India Federation of Democratic Students (AIFDS), All India Students' Bloc (AISB), and All India Progressive Students Union (AIPSU).

In Hyderabad, student leaders and activists attempted to march towards the state ministers' residential complex and Praja Bhavan to press their demands. Police intervened to stop the protesters, leading to scuffles between demonstrators and security personnel. Student leaders alleged that police used force against protesters, including physically assaulting some students before taking them into custody.

The student leaders accused the government of indirectly facilitating the merger and closure of government schools under initiatives such as "Young India Schools" and "International Schools." They further alleged that scholarship payments and fee reimbursement dues amounting to approximately Rs 10,814 crore have remained pending for nearly six years. They claimed that the delay has adversely affected thousands of economically disadvantaged students pursuing higher education.

In addition, the organizations alleged that the government has failed to provide basic facilities in government schools, including notebooks, textbooks, uniforms, and midday meals. They demanded immediate action to fill teacher vacancies, improve infrastructure, and strengthen the public education system. Warning of intensified protests if their demands remain unaddressed, the student organizations said they would launch broader statewide joint agitations in the coming weeks.