Activities
Youth for Equality was a banner under which the students were protesting against caste based reservations. Though youth for equality was formed in context with reservation protest, it is actually a platform to fight against any kind of injustice to people. It is now an organisation that is working towards formation of an undevided society, and prosperous India. Though YFE consists of mainly Professional ( a reference to some technical courses in India) students and professionals, a significant part is also played by non professional students and workers. Its activities were very successful and its call for strike got nation-wide support crippling the medical infrastructure of India. In addition to complete roll-back of the proposed reservation, the striking protesters had demanded that an expert committee comprising members from non-political organizations to review the existing reservation policy and find out whether reservation for OBCs is required at all. Also, they demand that no penal action be taken against the protesters and publication of a white paper by the government, making its stand clear on reservation. The indefinite hunger strike organized by YFE had nearly 150 students joining the hunger strike that entered its ninth day as on 23 May 2006. Resident doctors from all over India joined the protests crippling the health infrastructure of a number of cities. This caused great human suffering, and lead the Supreme Court to criticize the doctors. The movement was handled with a heavy hand by police.
The latest protest under the YFE banner was held on 25 th Apr 2008 in the Supreme court of India lawns, specifically protesting against reservation in post graduate courses by the Govt of India.
YFE is amongst the most recent students organisations in India. Generally the students movements are used by political parties, this is a unique non political students organisation in that no political party has yet been associated with the movement. YFE has challenged the Decision of Parliament in Apex Court and obtained stay on reservations. It may be noted that some states in India (e.g.: Tamil Nadu) can have up to 70% seats reserved for different classes.
Youth for equality fielded a candidate in the 2007 BMC (BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation) elections Ward No. 167 (Sion-Koliwada). The candidate secured 30% of the votes secured by the winning candidate. Also, apart from the two major national political parties YFE defeated all regional parties in this ward.
In the parliament election of 2009, YFE put up a people's candidate from NEW DELHI constituency, who came fourth. This may be regarded as the foray into electoral politics by one of the most talked about youth organisations in India.
Read more about this topic: Youth For Equality
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