Students manifesto released by SIO

Hyderabad: With the demand of accessible and affordable quality education for students, jobs and opportunities for youth, dignity and human rights to all citizens irrespective of their background or preferences escalating, the SIO (Student Islamic Organisation) unit of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) released its 'Students Manifesto' here on Wednesday. While releasing it, they urged all the political parties for its consideration and inclusion of the same in their respective manifesto of general elections.

Speaking on the occasion, MANUU Students Union president, Mohammad Faizan said that India was the largest democracy in the world, which provides opportunities for people to resolve their issues and challenges with the help of their elected representatives who would represent their demands in the legislative body and build a consensus.

Election manifesto is a means to communicate people's hopes and aspirations to the potential representatives. "On behalf of students and youth of India, the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) takes this opportunity to present a 'Students' Manifesto' before all the political parties for consideration and inclusion in their respective manifesto and agenda," he said.

The recommendations and demands laid out in the manifesto are the implementation of RTE Act, increasing the stipend of Maulana Azad National Fellowship and Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship as well as a roll back of the requirement of NET for eligibility to be appointed in Universities. The manifesto also demands reservation in educational institutions as per the recommendations of the Sachar Committee report.

The manifesto had made some specific demands of MANUU like taking steps like offering Medical (MBBS, BUMS, BDS), engineering and law courses at MANUU main campus in Hyderabad.

It also demands for the re-opening of coaching centre for competitive exams in MANUU campus, construction Foot-Over-Bridge near Gachibowli flyover, enhancing the budget for MANUU, increase of Ph.D. seats in MANUU, providing a monthly stipend for MANUU students and improving the transportation facilities for MANUU students.

The manifesto also highlights a number of human right issues and demands the enactment of a comprehensive law to deal with violence against religious minorities and other marginalised communities. It also calls for the introduction of rehabilitation schemes for innocent youth who are falsely charged in terrorism cases.

Mohammad Faizan, president MANUU Student Union said that students and youth are the biggest constituency of this country and political parties must specially cater to their needs when seeking for votes.

Umar Farooque, one of the student leaders, said that SIO has prepared a manifesto that urged political parties to invest in the future of the country. He stressed that students and youth were not going to be mollified by slogans or distracted by talk of divisive issues. He said that SIO, MANUU Unit, would struggle hard to fulfill the demands made in manifesto. Sofiyan Quadri, Secretary SIO-MANUU Unit and Osama Naseem Memberof SIO were also present on the occasion.