Mangaluru: West Bengal youth leader and activist Dipsita Dhar on Sunday criticised the BJP-led Union Government over issues concerning employment, education, healthcare, farmers and workers, alleging that it had failed to deliver on its promise of building a developed India.
Dhar was speaking after inaugurating the Dakshina Kannada district conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) at Bishop Jathanna Auditorium in Mangaluru. The conference focused on education, employment, healthcare and the need to secure a better future for young people.
Dhar alleged that despite the Narendra Modi-led government being in power since 2014, several issues affecting ordinary citizens remained unresolved. She raised concerns over the economic difficulties faced by farmers, workers and lower- and middle-income sections of society.
The remarks were made at a political organisation’s conference and represent the views expressed by its speakers.
Dhar raises concerns over farmers and workers
Dhar alleged that farmers and workers across the country were facing difficulties under the BJP-led government and accused the Centre of taking measures that, according to her, affected their rights.
She also criticised the government’s response to issues concerning women and alleged that adequate action had not been taken against attacks on women.
Speaking about the education sector, Dhar raised concerns over the condition of students and the cost and quality of education. She alleged that students who protest for better educational facilities and against corruption are sometimes portrayed as being against the country.
Dhar also alleged that poverty remained a concern among lower- and middle-class families and called for greater attention to the economic and social challenges faced by these sections.
Call for youth to organise
Dhar called upon young people to come together and organise around issues affecting their education, employment and future.
She said the youth should raise their voices on matters concerning their rights and livelihood opportunities.
The DYFI conference brought together youth representatives and office-bearers from Dakshina Kannada to discuss issues affecting students and young people in the district.
Dhar also alleged that the BJP and RSS were attempting to create divisions in society through what she described as the use of cultural and artistic platforms to spread hatred.
Her comments formed part of the political discourse at the conference, which sought to focus attention on youth-related issues and demands for employment, education and healthcare.
DYFI leader raises employment concerns
Addressing the conference, DYFI Karnataka state secretary Basavaraj Poojar alleged that the Union Government had not fulfilled its employment-related promises.
Poojar referred to the government’s earlier employment commitments and said a large number of vacancies continued to remain unfilled in various Central Government departments.
He specifically mentioned departments such as the Home and Railways and urged the Centre to fill existing vacancies and create additional employment opportunities.
Poojar said the availability of government employment remained an important issue for young people, particularly those seeking stable jobs after completing their education.
The DYFI leader called for recruitment to vacant posts as well as measures to generate new employment opportunities for the growing number of young jobseekers.
Poojar targets Karnataka government
Poojar also criticised the Karnataka Government led by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
He alleged that Shivakumar was following the path of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and working in the interests of corporate companies.
The criticism was made while addressing the DYFI’s district conference, where speakers raised concerns about government policies and their impact on students, workers and young people.
The allegations represent the DYFI’s political position, and no independent evidence establishing the claim was presented in the statements provided.
Conference focuses on youth concerns
The district conference centred on issues related to education, employment and healthcare, with organisers emphasising the need for a secure future for the youth.
Participants discussed concerns affecting students and young people in Dakshina Kannada and are expected to adopt resolutions seeking solutions to various issues.
The conference also provided a platform for the organisation to discuss wider social and economic issues affecting young people and to mobilise its members around its demands.
The DYFI has traditionally focused its campaigns on employment, education and youth welfare, and the Mangaluru conference continued that emphasis.
Youth take part in procession
Ahead of the conference, hundreds of young people participated in a procession in Mangaluru.
The procession began at Jyothi Circle and preceded the district conference at Bishop Jathanna Auditorium.
The mobilisation brought DYFI members and supporters together ahead of the organisational meeting, where district-level issues concerning students and youth were discussed.
The conference was attended by DYFI Dakshina Kannada district president B K Intiyaz, district secretary Santhosh Bajal, district leaders Tayyub Bengre, Madhuri Bolara and Manoj Vamanjoor.
Students’ Federation of India (SFI) district president Azlan Bengre and district secretary Vinayak were also present.
Resolutions expected on youth issues
The conference is expected to adopt resolutions addressing various concerns faced by students and young people in Dakshina Kannada.
Issues relating to employment opportunities, education and healthcare are expected to remain central to the resolutions.
The event comes amid wider discussions in Karnataka and across the country over employment opportunities for young people, recruitment to government vacancies and access to affordable and quality education.
The speakers at the conference urged young people to organise around these concerns and press governments to address issues affecting their future.
Dhar’s visit to Mangaluru also formed part of her engagement with DYFI activities in the district. According to a report published ahead of the conference, she had also visited the family of DYFI activist Varshit Kulal, who was declared brain-dead following a road accident and whose organs were donated by his family.
The Dakshina Kannada conference concluded with the organisation’s focus firmly centred on youth rights and demands, with its leaders calling for greater employment opportunities, accessible education and healthcare, while also raising broader political and social concerns.