Born and brought up in Alakode, Kannur district, Roji M. John was appointed the president of NSU about one-and-a-half years ago. He plunged headlong into active politics after being elected as the chairman of the student union of Sacred Heart College, Thevara, Ernakulam. After obtaining bachelor's degree in economics, Roji successfully completed his master’s degree in political science from the University of Hyderabad. Son of M. V. John, a farmer, and Elsamma, he was nominated as the vice-president of NSU while pursuing research at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, before becoming the first elected president of the organisation.
The curse of corruption
Widespread corruption charges against senior leaders would stop youngsters from entering politics. Unfortunately, the general public tend to believe these charges without even considering the status of the people who make these unsubstantiated allegations. The trend has assumed alarming proportions across the country, especially in Kerala.
Rohit Vemulas are created
It is heartening to see students and youth joining hands to fight fascist forces that are out to destroy the nation. There had been attempts to silence movements based on Ambedkarism functioning in the country’s higher education institutions and other student organisations that criticise the NDA government. Rohith Vemula’s suicide assumes importance in the backdrop of this suffocating atmosphere.
Full coverage of protest at HCU
There was mass support to the subsequent protests and demonstrations held in various parts of the country. Along with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, I also took part in the agitations held on the Hyderabad university campus for four days. The protest was against the central government which is responsible for vitiating the atmosphere in educational institutions across the country.
Shift from conventional modes of protest
Some serious rethinking has to be done by the mainstream political parties on the traditional modes of agitations planned and staged by students themselves.
Read also: Attack on Sreenivasan unjustifiable: SFI president
A slap on the CPM's carefully groomed smiling face
It is high time we evolved unique methods to protest. I feel the new generation has developed a great distaste for traditional politics, although they are well-informed about the policies and overall political scenario in the country. The political parties should change their strategies to attract youth into politics and utilise their ideas to create a better future for the country.
Criminal should be kept away
The attack on T. P. Sreenivasan was extremely unfortunate. Manhandling of a renowned diplomat, who is respected worldwide, should have been avoided. No political party should support such uncivilised acts. It is the responsibility of every organisation to keep people with criminal backgrounds away from politics.
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