THE SFI held its Maharashtra state convention at Jalna on December 30, 2015 – the 45th foundation anniversary of the SFI. There were 174 delegates from 10 districts of Maharashtra who represented a membership till then of 50,454, which will increase further till the all India conference. The convention started with an impressive student rally that gave slogans saluting Comrade Anna Bhau Sathe - a great cultural activist and writer who was one of the pillars of the cultural movement during the Samyukta Maharashtra struggle. The enthusiasm of the students in the rally not only succeeded in attracting the attention of the people of Jalna city but also energised them to express their anger against the BJP-led government.

The rally concluded in an impressive public meeting. The SFI flag was hoisted by state president Mohan Jadhav. Students entered the hall after saluting the brave martyrs. Reception committee chairperson Dr Sunanda Tidke welcomed the delegates in the city known for its seed production. While emphasising the unity of students and teachers against the policies of the government, she spoke about the condition of dalits and women in this BJP-Sena ruled state. State vice president Balaji Kaletwad while explaining the importance of this convention in view of the ensuing Sikar all India conference, also targeted the state president of BJP, who hails from the same Jalna district where drought is adversely affecting the common people.

Milind Wagh, convener of the Platform against Commercialisation of Education, inaugurated the convention. He exposed the government’s communal agenda in education. The chief minister of the state in his speech at the ABVP conference, said that in ancient India we were having an ideal education system. But in those days there was no education for dalits, adivasis, other labouring castes and women, and yet they are claiming that it was ideal. He also explained the economic policies of the government which are badly affecting education.  Giving examples from history, he said education was an important factor in the revolutions which took place around the world. He also expressed confidence that SFI will create a large number of activists for the Indian revolution. The inaugural session was conducted by state secretary Datta Chavan and presided over by state president Mohan Jadhav. Maroti Khandare of AIAWU and Govind Ardad of AIKS greeted the convention.

Vice Chancellor of Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University of Nanded, Dr Pandit Vidyasagar also greeted the convention. He said that he was greatly helped by the SFI, since on the second day of his taking over office as VC, a studied list of various problems in the university was given by SFI activists. He was still following the same list and was trying his best to solve those problems. He said that student organisations are the need of the times and an organisation like SFI is a must. He concluded with warm greetings for the success and progress of the SFI. This session was conducted by state joint secretary Sunil Rathod.

The delegate session commenced with the election of Mohan Jadhav, Balaji Kaletwaad, Meera Kamble to the presidium; Datta Chavan, Sunil Rathod and Dr Ravindra Madne to the steering committee; Rohidas Jadhav and Nitin Wavhale to the minutes committee.

State secretary Datta Chavan placed the report of activities and organisational situation of the SFI in the state. The SFI has done good work and has led struggles of various sections of students. Membership has crossed the 50,000 mark for the last three years in a row. He also pointed out the weaknesses that needed to be overcome. Representatives from all districts spoke on the report, after which it was unanimously adopted. Delegates to the all India SFI conference were unanimously elected.

SFI all India joint secretary Vikram Singh said that we have to learn from our experiences; they are our teachers. He saluted the brave comrades of SFI who have given their lives for the cause of independence, democracy and socialism. In these 45 years of study and struggle, there are many events we have to learn from and take forward the brave legacy that we have inherited. He targeted the policies of the BJP government which are destroying education in India. They are constantly pushing the agenda of commercialisation and privatisation of education. To these same policies of the Congress government, the BJP government has added the dangerous policy of communalisation of education. They are trying to divide the student masses in the name of identity - religion, caste, language and region. He said that we have to deal with this challenging situation by strengthening our organisation. The local problems have to be linked with policy matters.

The convention concluded by thanking the SFI Jalna district committee and all its activists, particularly state joint secretary Manjushri Kabade, state committee members Anil Misal and Shivaji Togarwar for their efforts in making the convention a success.