THE DYFI Maharashtra state committee organised a three-day study camp for its leading activists at Uran, in Raigad district, from June 14-16, 2019. It was attended by 150 delegates from 18 districts and included 15 young women. The camp started by paying homage to DYFI activist Comrade Ashok of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu who was murdered by Manuvadi forces, Dr Payal Tadvi of Mumbai's Nair Hospital, who committed suicide following intense harassment by casteist colleagues, and to the renowned writer-artiste Girish Karnad. 

After the welcome address by the reception committee chairman and CITU leader Bhushan Patil, the camp was inaugurated by Ashok Dhawale, former DYFI leader and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) president. Briefly analysing the recent Lok Sabha election results, he exhorted the youth to rally against the communal forces and also come out in struggle against the ill effects of neoliberal policies. Rural distress, unemployment and price rise should be taken up for intensive and extensive struggles, fortified by much more effective political campaigns and radical strengthening of the organisation, he said. 

In the post inaugural session, Ashok Dhawale took the class on the danger of communalism. He spoke in depth on the history of Hindutva in India. Maharashtra has been a fertile ground for communal forces. These forces of both hues played the role of serving British imperialism by trying to disrupt our freedom struggle. Similarly in the period after independence, they serve the capitalist classes to disrupt working people's unity. The real resistance to communalism has to be led by Left and democratic forces. DYFI as the platform of progressive youth has a major role to play in this task, he said. 

This inspiring session was followed by a protest march demanding justice to martyr Comrade Ashok and Dr Payal Tadvi. The march started from Uran Market and ended at Gandhi Chowk. The youth march received an enthusiastic welcome from the people all along the route. The fearless march of the youth shouting slogans against casteist criminals and their political masters, resonated in the hearts of the people. 

Former leaders of the DYFI in Maharashtra, and now CITU state office-bearers Mahendra Singh and S K Rege took topics in the study camp. In his presentation, Mahendra Singh spoke on the socio-political situation in Maharashtra and challenges before Youth. He stressed that the democratic youth movement has a vital role to resist the neoliberal agenda. DYFI must organise the youth against growing unemployment and commercialisation of education.

S K Rege gave a presentation on the organisational aspects of building the democratic youth movement. AIKS state vice president and writer Uday Narkar spoke on the subject, ‘What is Socialism’ which was quite inspiring and penetrating.  

Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti activists, Munde and Susheela Munde spoke in the camp about the science or logic exposing so-called "wonders". They held an inspiring session. This session was followed by the screening of the film "Vivek" (Reason) directed by Anand Patwardhan. The film created much zeal among the delegates. 

The camp ended with DYFI state secretary Preethy Sekhar outlining the state committee's decisions setting out a clear path forward for developing consistent struggles and expanding the democratic youth movement rapidly in Maharashtra. It was decided to:

1. Launch a concerted membership drive and thus spread influence among youth rapidly, linking it to strengthening the organisation from the primary units upwards.

2. On August 30, 2019, militant youth marches will be organised in all district centres against unemployment. The marches will be taken to the guardian minister's house or office in the respective districts. Extensive campaign will be taken up across Maharashtra to ensure participation of common youth in a big way.

The camp ended with a rousing call by DYFI state president Sunil Dhanav to take on the coming challenges with grit and determination. 

All mass fronts in Raigad district made excellent arrangements for this camp. They were all profusely thanked amidst cheers.