Keep religion out of student politics: Kanhaiyya Kumar

Kanhaiyya Kumar also attended the protest by thousands of conservancy workers demanding equal rights and minimum wages at Azad Maidan They also shouted his famous Azaadi Naara PicSneha KharabeThink student politics and the first name to pop into your mind is likely Kanhaiyya Kumar the star student leader from Jawaharlal Nehru University JNU who shot to fame after he was arrested under charges of sedition following a protest at the New Delhi campus of the instituteIn the city yesterday to support the lsquominimum wagersquo movement started by the National Trade Union Initiative Kanhaiya spoke to midday about the excitement over student elections returning to Maharashtra after a gap of over two decades Maharashtra will see the return of student elections after over two decades What do you have to say about itI have heard from our representatives in Maharashtra about the return of student elections after the finalisation of the new Maharashtra Universities Act It is a welcome decision Students will have a representative on campus to voice their issues We have been urging for youngstersrsquo involvement in politics since a long timeWhat is AISFrsquos plan of action for the upcoming studentsrsquo elections in MaharashtraThe Act has just been passed we will speak about our plans when student elections actually resume on campuses here While our local representatives will work on their plan of action our focus will be on studentsrsquo issues without political or religious agenda mdash the way we have been fighting student elections at JNUCan you further elaborate on thisAt JNU they have started a new course mdash diploma in Indian Culture Why do we need this course when it is already included in history culture studies and other related subjects These are just ways for rightwing activists to bring their people inside campus and start a religious agenda We hope that the student elections will be focused on development and not on religious politics Issues such as progress of Dalit community exploitation of reserved category students are among the important issues that need focus Does AISF lack a strong local leader in Mumbai Is that why you come down from JNUThat is not true We have competent leaders here in Mumbai and across Maharashtra who eventually will be working on plan of action for student elections here I am here in Mumbai to show my support for the trade union movement What is your opinion on the demonetisation driveThe Prime Minister said that the plan is to bring back black money After demonetisation when it was asked where is black money PM said start using lsquoPayTMrsquo A huge percentage of Indian society has already been living cashless not by choice but because they do not have money The poor are just getting poorer Economic growth is decreasing mdash even the government has admitted this Farmer suicides are increasing How is this lsquoachche dinrsquo after demonetisationOn election rulesldquoEven in Maharashtra the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations would be followed for student elections We strongly oppose it and hope that students in Maharashtra too extend their support in opposing it The committee has made arbitrary recommendations from the cap on expenses in student elections to a limit on reelection Students should be given liberty and power to conduct their own electionsrdquo said Kanhaiya