Demanding reservation is appeasement politics: PSU (Lalkaar)

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 28

The Punjab Students’ Union (Lalkaar), along with the Students for Society (SFS), had jointly fought against a massive fee hike in PU courses with enhancement in some of them being over 1,000 per cent last year. About 7-8 leaders of the party are facing criminal proceedings for the stone pelting incident of April 11, 2017. 

However, the SFS and the PSU (Lalkaar) do not go for alliance as there are ideological differences between them. Reservation in educational institutions and government jobs is one of the differences though both parties are Leftists.

While talking to Chandigarh Tribune, PSU (Lalkaar) convener Amandeep, who is facing a trial in the stone pelting case, explains the point of disagreement with the SFS. “We don’t say that reservation should be abolished. The reservation will not change anything even if you enhance it to 100 per cent. This is because seats in educational institutions and jobs in the government sector are limited and are just a fraction of what is required,” he said.

He added, “Our idea is that those in the general category and those who have reservation should fight together for enhancement of seats. The seats should be considerably enhanced so that a large number of people could be accommodated.”  “The fight should be against unemployment. Calling for reservation is appeasement politics,” said Amandeep, who hails from Ludhiana. 

On identification of creamy layer among SCs and STs, he said, “It is a reality that only those in the creamy layer are enjoying the benefits of reservation. Those who need it are not able to reach colleges or universities. They are dropping out at school level.” 

The party says there are poor among general category too. “We are for equal and free education for all. The government should take responsibility for it,” said Amandeep, a student of MA (Urdu) first year.

The other issues raised by the party included transparency in allotting hostel accommodations, faculty recruitment on regular basis so that research scholars could realise their dreams, subsidised food at hostels and the Student Centre, start of cooperative mess in hostels and allowing 24X7 entry at girls’ hostels. 

Formed in December 2014, the party fought its maiden election in 2017 when its candidate Amandeep Kaur contested the post of secretary and polled 310 votes. 

"We will never have an alliance with the student wing of a political party and that includes SFI," said Amandeep, convener, PSU (Lalkaar).

The party has more strength in Arts departments. 

Poll campaign launched with exhibition

• The PSU (Lalkaar) launched its poll campaign with an exhibition on progressive literature and handmade posters at the Student Centre on Tuesday. 
•  The writings of revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Gadharites, the works of people’s writers and poets like Pash, Brecht, Faiz, Premchand, Saradchandra, Gorky, Chekhov, Tolstoy, and articles and books on contemporary issues pertaining to youth and society were displayed. 
• The party has been involved in organising open discussions, seminars, lectures, street plays and film shows.