In view of the Indian Government’s participation in the 10th Ministerial Conference of WTO which was scheduled from 15th to 18th at Nairobi, Kenya and the promise made 10 years back during Doha Round of WTO on Higher Education according to which the Indian Higher Education will become a tradable service in the global market leaving it open for plunder by private and global capital, AISA organised a people’s vigil from 15 to 18 December 2015. The purpose of the vigil was to send a clear and a loud message to the government that the students and youth of this country were resolutely against the sell out of higher education. In a press statement issued prior to the vigil, Delhi State Secretary of AISA, Com. Ashutosh Kumar said, “We will not let the Government of India to silently sell out education, future and sovereign decision making power of our country to WTO. We are going to hold mass public demonstrations during 15th to 18th December when the WTO Ministerial Conference is held at Nairobi.”
As a part of this campaign that had earlier seen huge mobilizations in Delhi on 8th and 9th, the following programmes took place from 15th to 18th December.
On 15 December 2015, AISA appealed all to join the Bhumi Adhikar Andolan’s ‘Chetvani Rally’ against corporate takeover of our land, forest and education at Sansad Marg, Jantar Mantar. On 17 December 2015, a massive human chain was formed at 2 pm at Central park in Connaught Place. Initially the Delhi Police tried to prevent the human chain from being formed and issued a letter to JNUSU Gen Secretary, Com. Rama Naga that there was no permission. However, the students resolutely asserted their right to protest and ensure the inclusiveness and accessibility of higher education in India and continued their protest and a massive human chain was formed despite all obstacles. On 18 December 2015, which was to be the last day of the WTO negotiations, a protest demonstration was called Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Udyog Bhawan) to stop the commerce minister from committing Higher Education to be converted into tradeable service for profit making. During the protest, Com. Sucheta De, National President of AISA said that, “In spite of mass dissent against the India’s impending negotiations with WTO, the GoI has not even responded to the protesting students and academicians. Why the public is not being told about India’s promises and commitments to WTO? What is there to hide?” Despite heavy barricading by the police, a determined protest was held and the students vowed to continue their agitation against sell out of higher education.
