The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has launched a scathing attack on the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, accusing it of systematically dismantling public education and ignoring the concerns of youth and marginalized communities.
At a press conference held on Sunday following a key meeting at the state headquarters, newly appointed NSUI in-charge for Uttar Pradesh and National Secretary, Devki Patel, criticized the state government’s controversial decision to close 5,000 government schools, warning of its devastating impact on underprivileged children.
Patel said the move has sparked fear and uncertainty among poor, Dalit, and backward-class families who rely heavily on government schools for their children’s education. “This decision is pushing lakhs of children into a future of darkness,” she said.
She highlighted that the NSUI, along with several opposition parties and social organizations, had organized state-wide protests and challenged the school closures in court. As a result, the judiciary imposed a temporary ban on the school mergers, offering some relief to affected communities.
Continuing her criticism, Patel accused the BJP government of failing the youth on multiple fronts. She pointed to the rising unemployment in the state, claiming that under BJP rule, job opportunities for young people have consistently declined.
Additionally, she alleged that students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are being denied scholarships and other educational benefits in universities, thereby deepening social and educational inequality.
Patel also raised the issue of student union elections, noting that despite a 2018 court order allowing such elections, the state government has refused to conduct them. “The BJP government is afraid that student leaders, once elected, will challenge its policies on education, unemployment, and student welfare,” she remarked.
Devki Patel vowed that the NSUI will continue its fight to safeguard student rights and defend public education. She emphasized the importance of holding the government accountable for actions that directly affect the future of millions of young people in Uttar Pradesh.