About Us

  1. Home
  2. About us

Introduction

Across the world today, students and youth are coming out into the streets against the prevailing order based on anti-people policies and imperialist aggression, Their voices resound with the chant that bAnother World is possibleb.

 

AISA is a revolutionary students movement which stands firmly in the campuses throughout the country with a vision of bA New India and A New World.b The formation of AISA in 1990 was the result of a long felt need for a platform for the revolutionary and democratic students movement. From the outset, it has defeated the communal politics in its bastions at Kumaon University, Allahabad University, and BHU. And in the Student union elections in JNU, AISA has over the years marched forward with the revolutionary red flag. In the years that followed, AISA has been at the forefront of all struggles for student rights as well as larger democratic issues. The founding conference of AISA was on 9th August, Kranti Divas, at Allahabad. The second national conference was held in Delhi in 1994, the third in 1998 at Patna, the fourth in Allahabad (2001), the fifth in Calcutta (2004), and the sixth has recently concluded at Muzaffarpur.

Since its inception, AISA has mobilized the student community across campuses on issues such as opposing fee hikes, against the package of commercialization of education and the anti-student recommendations of Knowledge Commission, against the BJPbs communal-fascist politics and Congressbs anti-people economic policies. We have stood for declaring education and employment as basic rights and have opposed the attack on campus democracy and student rights in the name of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. We have spoken out and agitated against political surrender to the anti-people economic policies and American imperialism. In all these ways, AISA has redefined the student movement.

 

It was fighting for these ideals and against the criminalization of politics that AISAbs prominent leader and two-time JNUSU president, Comrade Chandrasekhar was martyred in the Siwan district of Bihar. AISA is committed to carrying forward the revolutionary legacy of Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar and our journey will not stop at any cost, not without achieving our destination b the Revolutionary transformation of society. We give voice to studentbs creative energy through processions, demonstrations, seminars, street plays, film shows and revolutionary songs on various issues of our times. We appeal you all to come with us and participate in all these activities and play a significant role in transforming society.

 

Constitution

Name

 

All India Students’ Association (AISA)

Flag

Colour- red, rectangular, 3:2 ratio in  length and breath, three stars in the flag symbolizing education, progress and democracy, in the there will be fist in the white colour in the middle of the flag.

Symbol

Three stars and a fist symbolizing revolutionary firmness, unity and power of students.

Organs

 

There will be two main organs of AISA, in hindi, Nai Peedhi and in english, Students Voice.

Membership

Individual- Any Indian male/female student of Fourteen years or above of age can become member of AISA if he/she agrees with the organizations manifesto and constitution.

Institutions: Any student organization of suppressed nationality which accepts AISA’s  manifesto and constitution can become its federal member.

Rights and duties of member

 

  1. Members have right to elect and get elected.
  2. Members have right to get organizations magazines, and circulars and bulletins issued for members must be provided to them.
  3. Members have to pay membership fee/ renewal fee of two rupees
  4. Every federal  member-organization has to pay twenty percent of its membership fees.

Renewal of membership

Individuals and institutions will have to get their membership renewed every year during the period fixed by state or National Committee.

Disciplinary action

 

  1. if a member does not get his membership renewed his membership will automatically lapse.
  2. Disciplinary action will be instituted if fixed quota membership fees is not paid to state or national committee.
  3. If a member is found indulged in the anti-people activities or working against the organization, his/ her membership can be suspended.
  4. Before  any action members will be served with ‘show cause’  notice,. After that only any tough action be initiated.

To start disciplinary against any state committee member, approval from the national council/ national executive is compulsory.

 

Organizational Structure

National Conference

  1. Regarding the policy making, programs and constitution, National Conference is highest decision making body.
  2. National Conference will be held after every two year. Selection of representatives to the this conference will be decided in the local level conference or through any other similar mechanism. Same process will be followed in the state conference as well.
  3. Conference will review the previous activities and promulgate the political, organizational and financial report.
  4. National Conference will elect the National Council.

National Council

  1. Conference will decided the numbers of council members.
  2. National Council will act as highest policy making body in the interim period between two National Conferences.
  3. National Council will discuss the report presented by the executive council regarding the implementation of decisions taken by it.
  4. National Council has the right to make any change in the constitution, except its objective, aims and directions, with two-third majority.
  5. National Council will meet at least once in a year.
  6. National Council will elect the office bearers and national executive council.

National Executive

 

  • National Council will decide the numbers of members of National Executive Council.
  • In the interim period between two seatings of National Council, executive council will act as the highest body.
  • Half of the members are supposed to be present in order to fulfill the quorum required for Council meeting.
  • Executive Council will distribute the responsibilities among the office bearers and can even institute a new department.
  • Executive will decide the structure of the advisory body.

Office Bearers of  the Organization

 

There will be a President, General Secretary, Vice President,  Joint-Secretary and Office Secretary in the organization. President and General Secretary will represent the organization.

President

  • President will be the constitutional head of the organization.
  • President will chair the meetings of National Council,  National Executive Council and guide the organization.

 

General Secretary

 

  • General Secretary will be the executive head of the Organization. He will also be the in charge of the financial matters.
  • General Secretary will call the meetings of the National Council, National Executive Council and present the reports in these meetings.

 

State Level Organizational Structure

 

  1. State Conference will constitute the State Council. It will held once in every two years.
  2. Same laws will operate at state level as well that operate at the national level  with regard to rights and duties.

 

Basic Structure

 

  1. University/ Degree College/School based campus Commitees will form the Basic Srtucture of the organization. They will have their conference annually.
  2. If the membership in any campus exceeds  one hundred, a campus committee will be formed there. It will have the same structure as the above committees. In case of need, faculty/department, hostel…….level units can be formed and deputies can be decided.
  3. In case of more than hundred members a coordination Committee will be formed and coordinator will its in charge.

If need arises university/College Committee, District Committee, Zonal committee can also be constituted.

Manifesto

AISA is a revolutionary, democratic studentsb organization. We have led struggles for the democratization of campus life, for a pro-people and scientific education system and for the right to education and employment. Through mobilizing the revolutionary, left, democratic and liberal sections of the student community, we are committed to organizing a broad-based studentsb movement as an important organ in the revolutionary transformation of Indian society.

 

AISA derives itbs ideological path from the progressive ideologies of democratic movements. We believe that Marxism is the science of revolutionary change and human emancipation. Through waging a relentless struggle against reactionary ideologies and cultural values, we are committed towards a creative and popular propagation of scientific culture, democracy and modern thought.

 

AISA integrates itself with all democratic movements of the Indian people. In giving them a coherent, democratic ideological and political line, we accept the role of CPI-ML as the true communist party. We emphasize the solidarity of the studentsb movement with struggles of the working class, especially with revolutionary peasant struggles in our country.

 

The formation of AISA in 1990 came about through the integration of student movements inspired by the ideological line of the Naxalbari peasant revolt as well as those who derived their understanding from the 1974 peoplesb movement in Bihar.

 

Over the years, AISA has emerged as a popular left studentsb organization struggling against the anti-student, anti-people right-wing organization like NSUI and ABVP, exposing at the same time opportunist and semi-anarchist trends in the left democratic movement. The hollow bleftb rhetoric and ritual activities of SFI and AISF have become completely disconnected with the democratic aspirations of students and the dynamic student movement. Through following an opportunist ideological- political line, they have gradually declined and become marginalized forces in the student movement. Especially in the Hindi-Urdu speaking areas they could never become the representative forces of the aspirations of the student community. Similarly, AISA has provided a positive negation of the semi-anarchist tendencies of those organizations which identify with the Naxalbari movement but fail to distinguish the difference between the mass organization and the party. Failing to build a broad based student movement addressing the popular aspirations of the larger student community they have been reduced to many fighting sects. Ultimately, trapped in endless left bphrase mongeringb they are gradually disintegrating as a force of the student movement. As opposed to this, AISA has led the struggle for a radical democratization of education, culture, society and politics.

 

AISA wages a firm and uncompromising struggle against all reactionary organizations and lumpen leaders within the student movement. At each step, we have upheld the dignity and equality of women and stood for their participation and leadership in both the student movement and social life.

 

In this light, as a successor and student of the glorious legacy of student struggles, AISA commits itself to stand against the prevailing backwardness of our country and its dependence on external powers, which has provided a fertile ground for fundamentalism, medieval barbarism, casteism and communal frenzy, causing a gradual erosion of our national sovereignty and subjecting India to the threat of neocolonialism.

 

The alarming rise of communal fascism is not only a threat for our rich cultural legacy of communal harmony but has also posed a grave threat to nation building and the very foundations of democratic politics. To counter the monster of communal fascism and uphold a secular politics, AISA holds that religion is primarily an individual concern and should be completely separated from politics and from the institutions of governance. We struggle to carry forward the modern idea of secularismb bSarva Dharma Varjateb as against the conventional notion of bSarva Dharma Sambhav.b

 

We are committed to defending national sovereignty and revolutionary democracy. We also extend our solidarity to ongoing peoplebs movements against imperialism in Third World countries, just as we support democratic movements within these imperialist countries. As a leading force of the anti-imperialist democratic front of Asian students, the Asian Students Association (ASA), AISA endeavours to consolidate the unity and fraternity of the people of south Asia against the onslaught of imperialism.

 

Basic Programme

  1. Overthrowing the existing colonial education system and establishing a pro-people scientific education system.
  2. Against saffronization, privatization and commercialization of the education sector and for total democratization of education system on the basis of campus autonomy.
  3. Recognizing the Right to Education and the Right to Employment as fundamental rights.
  4. For a new democratic cultural resurgence against the existing reactionary feudal, imperialist and capitalist culture in the society.
  5. Integrating with the struggles of the workers and peasants in favour of a radical social transformation and for a national liberation defeating all kinds of imperialist hegemony

AISA extends solidarity with peoples movements:

  1. For radical land reform.
  2. To uproot all forms of neo-colonial and imperialist exploitation.
  3. To carry forward and organize efforts against new economic policies, liberalization, privatization and globalization.
  4. For the democratic rights of the peasants, workers and all struggling sections of society.
  5. Against all kinds of discrimination and oppression — whether exploitation based on social, political, economic, religious, linguistic or gender based causes — of Dalits, women, minority communities and ethnic minorities.
  6. For universal peace, non-occupation, democracy and for ensuring basic human rights.
  7. Against environmental degradation and destruction resulting from the frantic and ever-greater capitalist drive for profit accumulation.

The Present Context and Our Agenda of Struggle

Towards Democratising Education

Against the privatization of education and the neo-liberal education policy based on commercialization.

  • Against fee hikes, seat cuts, privatization and the reduction of employment opportunities.
  • Against the implementation of the Knowledge Commission recommendations which work to sell out Higher Education in the name of Public-Private Partnership.
  • To oppose Foreign Direct Investment in Higher Education as well as other attempts to privatise higher education particularly through the Private Universities and Foreign Universities Bills.
  • For establishment of at least one College at every block level.
  • For a Common School System and against the fee hike in schools.
  • Against the saffronization of education whether through interference with curriculum or the appointment of communal propagandists to important educational and cultural positions.
  • For strict and accountable government regulation of private educational institutions.
  • Against the implementation of the Lyngdoh Commmitee Recommendation in campuses and for thorogh democratic conduct of regular student union elections in all educational institutions in the country from the Secondary level onwards.
  • For increasing budgetary expenditure on education to at least 10% of Union budget.
  • For free education till Higher Secondary level.
  • For adequate library facilities, labs, better infrastructure and scholarships for all educational institutions;
  • For encouraging higher education and research increase the amount of the existing UGC scholarship for non-JRF holders and extending its scope to cover the research scholars of state universities as well; expand the scope of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship to cover all Dalit research students; for institution of a National fellowship programme of similar tune for PH research students;
  • For free education and hostel accommodation for girls at all levels of education.
  • For fully state-sponsored education for Dalit students and for the proper fulfillment of their quota in the educational institutions and jobs, including the private sector.
  • For ensuring the fulfilment of 22.5 % reservation for SC-ST students and 27 %  reservation for OBC students as well as 3% reservation for PH category student in educational institutions as well as in faculty recruitment.
  • For the recognition of the Madrasa Certificates eg. Alimiat-Fazeelat in all the universities in the country.
  • For the democratic functioning of universities and other academic institutions.
  • For abolishing the practice of making political leaders, bureaucrats, army personnels or corporate figures as heads of academic institutions.
  • For the speedy trial and punishment in the cases of sexual harassment as well as the establishment of a functional Committee against sexual harassment like GSCASH in all campuses.
  • Against the discrimination practised towards students coming from the north-eastern states of the country.
  • Against ragging in all educational institutions and administrative apathy and failure in preventing the cases of ragging.
  • For the provision of unemployment allowance for unemployed youth till employment is provided

Towards Democratic Transformation of Our Society

  • Against draconian laws like AFSPA and sustained human right violations in North-East and Kashmir, and in solidarity with people’s democratic movements in these regions.
  • Against the construction of SEZs, Big Dams and Expressways in the name of Development, for asserting the right to land and livelihood of tribals, peasants and urban poor and for ensuring proper resettlement and compensation to people displaced by such projects.
  • For putting an end to State repression against minorities, peoples’ movements and nationality movements.
  • Against communal stereotyping, witch-hunting, torture and false encounter killings of youth from the minority community.
  • For the formation of an autonomous state comprising the regions of Karbi-Anglong and NC Hills within Assam; for speedy constitution of a Second State Reorganisation Commission and addressing the popular demands for separate statehoods in Telengana, Vidarbha, Bundelkhand and others.
  • Against the imposition of dress code for women and moral policing; for freedom of expression and women’s right and dignity; for speedy implementation of Women’s Reservation Bill.
  • For the establishment of special funds to ensure the autonomy and development of minority institutions and the thorough implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations; for the preservation and development of Urdu language and script.
  • For scrapping the Indo-US Nuclear Deal and any nuclear project threatening the environment and life-livelihood of the people.
  • Against UPA govt.’s ‘strategic partnership’, defence and commercial deals with the racist and occupier Israeli state.
  • Against the racist attacks on Indian students and workers abroad and the politics of regional chauvinism inside our country which seeks to divide the youth and the working class.
  • For the unconditional acquittal of all leaders and activists of democratic movements.
  • Against the ethnic cleansing of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka fighting for their right to freedom and self determination.
  • In solidarity with the liberation movement of Palestinians fighting against the imperialist occupation of Israel.
  • Against the racist and imperialist designs of the Israeli-American axis in the Middle-East.
  • Against the politics of war-mongering and jingoism; for a friendly relations with neighboring countries towards greater solidarity of South-Asian people against imperialist intervention in our sub-continent.