The 21st SFI State Conference in Kailashahar, Tripura, began amid stormy weather. Explore how the event is shaping the future of Tripura’s student movement and whether it would help CPIM revive its fortune
Kailashahar (Tripura), May 31: Despite relentless rains and stormy weather, the Tripura unit of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) launched its 21st State Conference with fervor at the Old Town Hall in Kailashahar under the Unakoti District of Tripura on Friday.
The two-day event, a significant gathering for the state’s student community, was inaugurated in the presence of prominent leaders, including former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, former Minister Tapan Chakraborty, SFI All India General Secretary Mayukh Biswas, former Minister Ratan Bhowmik, and former student leader Amal Chakraborty.
Also, several student leaders like Sagar Bhattacharya, Netaji Debbarma, Sujit Debbarma, and Suleman Ali attended the conference to highlight “critical issues facing Tripura’s youth, particularly in education and social welfare”.
The event commenced with a solemn tribute at a makeshift martyr’s memorial erected in front of the Old Town Hall. Student leaders and dignitaries offered floral tributes to honor those who sacrificed for the cause. The atmosphere was further enlivened by an inaugural song performed by local artists, setting a vibrant tone for the proceedings.
Shiv Shankar Saha, a member of SFI’s state committee, delivered a condolence resolution, reflecting on the organization’s legacy of activism.
Former Minister Tapan Chakraborty, a veteran student leader, extended a warm welcome to attendees, emphasizing the conference’s role in shaping the future of Tripura’s student movement.
“Kailashahar has transformed into a sea of red, adorned with SFI flags, banners, and festoons, as student representatives from across Tripura converge for the event”, said one of the participants.
He added, “The town’s festive ambiance stands in stark contrast to the stormy weather, symbolizing the resilience of the student community”.
SFI sources said, the conference serves as a platform for discussing pressing issues, including education, unemployment, and social challenges, with a particular focus on the policies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
Sharp Critique of BJP’s Governance
In a fiery address to the media, former student leader Amal Chakraborty launched a scathing critique of the BJP government’s policies at both the state and national levels.
He accused the administration of undermining Tripura’s academic environment since assuming power.
“The BJP’s rhetoric of progress is hollow. Schools and colleges are grappling with a deteriorating academic atmosphere,” Chakraborty stated, pointing to reduced funding and infrastructure neglect along with teacher-shortage as key concerns.
He further alleged that the government’s claims of creating a drug-free Tripura are undermined by rising addiction among students, a crisis he attributed to administrative failures.
Chakraborty also criticized the BJP for slashing education budgets, which he argued has severely limited opportunities for students in Tripura.
“The government’s priorities are misplaced. Instead of empowering our youth through education, they are being pushed toward despair and addiction,” he remarked.
His comments resonated with the conference’s overarching theme of advocating for a robust, inclusive education system and addressing systemic challenges facing the state’s youth.
A Platform for Dialogue and Action
Emphasizing the importance of the State Conference, SFI leaders said, The 21st SFI State Conference is more than a ceremonial gathering; it is a call to action for Tripura’s student community.
With representatives from various districts in attendance, the event fosters dialogue on critical issues such as access to quality education, employment opportunities, and social justice.
The conference also provides a space for strategizing on how to counter policies perceived as detrimental to students and marginalized communities.
On the second day, Leader of the Opposition in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, Jitendra Choudhury, is slated to address the gathering, adding further weight to the event.
His participation is expected to amplify discussions on the state’s political and educational landscape, reinforcing SFI’s role as a vocal advocate for student rights.
Amidst Adversities:
The main Opposition Party in Tripura CPIM and its frontal organizations like SFI, DYFI and Gana Mukti Parishad (tribal wing) etc are facing serious erosion since 2018 Assembly poll debacle in which CPIM lost marking an end of successive 25 years of LF rule and beginning of coalition BJP regime.
Tribal areas were the backbone of the CPIM in Tripura. However, prior to 2018 polls, CPIM started losing grounds and the red party or its Gana Mukti Parishad is yet make any noticeable headway in the tribal areas.
The humiliating defeat of CPIM in 2023 Assembly polls which pushed it to third spot after BJP and TIPRA Motha Party, jeopardized it revival plan with the support of Congress.
Even as CPIM has lost much of its relevance in the State due to poor electoral performances, the party still has a good regimented organization. The red party is eyeing to revive its support base in the State and the frontal organizations are crucial for that elusive revival. That is why the SFI conference is crucial.
As the conference progresses, it is poised to set the tone for SFI’s future initiatives in Tripura. Will it be able to emerge as a force against the youth organizations of the BJP and TMP?
“The discussions and resolutions emerging from this conference are expected to influence the state’s political and educational discourse in the months ahead, positioning SFI as a key player in Tripura’s socio-political landscape”, a senior SFI leader asserted.
