People's Democracy

AN estimated 30 lakhs or more young men and women rallied under the banner of the DYFI in all block and taluk centres all over Kerala on August 15, to start a new struggle for independence. The youth held these rallies in protest against the central and state governments denying their basic rights of education and employment and in protest against the attacks on secularism and democracy. Everywhere in the state from Kasargod to Trivandrum, the response of the youth to the state DYFI’s call was enthusing.

The government of Kerala is withdrawing from its responsibility of providing education and employment to the youth. It is also encouraging the communal forces to perpetrate violence and communal riots in the state. Gujarat has become a sordid story of how the fascist forces in the country will act if and when they come to power. It was in the wake of these developments, along with the ADB lordship over the government of Kerala in all matters, that the DYFI took up the rallies. The government of Kerala, under Anthony the Clean, has degenerated into one of corruption and hawala transactions. The UDF ministers and leaders are bent on dividing the spoils and quarrel on how to share the booty. The DYFI rallies alerted the people about the sufferings of still graver density that are in store for them under the UDF rule.

The rallies warned the government that the youth would not allow it to sell out the public sector undertakings (PSUs) and thereby get rid of the rights of the downtrodden in the state. In the name of a Global Meet of Investors, the government of Kerala is trying to sell out all PSUs in the state to foreign capital. The campaign is that they are trying to attract foreign capital and to create an investment-friendly atmosphere. But all this is a move to sell out the PSUs. This will freeze the already meagre employment opportunities in the state. No one is opposed to the I T industry in the state. But if in its name the youth are robbed of employment and the much-acclaimed PSUs, the DYFI said it would not remain a passive spectator.

The DYFI assured that it would whole-heartedly support any genuine move for opening up new enterprises. But this is not so about the recent steps of the Kerala government. The DYFI made it clear that it has no illusion whatsoever regarding the proposed global meet. On this day, DYFI leaders dared the Youth Congress and other such organisations to publicise their stand on the issue of PSU sell-out or oppose the DYFI stand. They asked the Youth Congress if it is ready to participate in the agitation to safeguard education, employment, secularism and democracy.