The Narendra Modi government is accused of systematically attacking all sections of society through its pro-corporate policies
NEW DELHI — Five prominent Left-leaning student organisations have come together to express full support for the nationwide general strike on Wednesday, July 9, called by ten central trade unions and various workers’ federations.
The strike is being organised to demand the scrapping of the contentious Four Labour Codes passed by the BJP-led Union government, which trade unions allege will roll back hard-won labour rights.
In a joint press release issued on Sunday, student bodies — Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students’ Federation (AISF), All India Students’ Association (AISA), Progressive Students’ Union (PSU), and All India Students’ Bloc (AISB) — criticised the Labour Codes as a major assault on the working class. The codes, they said, would increase working hours, make it harder for workers to unionise, and empower corporations at the cost of employees’ rights and livelihoods.
“The Labour Codes will immensely benefit big corporates while stripping workers of their basic rights,” the statement said, adding that the Narendra Modi government is systematically attacking all sections of society through pro-corporate policies.
Drawing a parallel with the education sector, the student organisations also lashed out at the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, calling it a blueprint for the commercialisation and privatisation of education. They argued that NEP 2020 opens the door to unregulated profiteering by private institutions, leads to the closure of government schools and colleges, and risks excluding students from marginalised communities from accessing affordable education.
“The NEP is designed to turn education into a commodity. The consequences are already visible — from rising fees to the shutting down of public institutions,” said Srijan Bhattacharyya, General Secretary of SFI. “It is crucial to resist these reforms collectively.”
The leftist bodies also said that the new policy was meant to saffronise the education system in the country.
The statement stressed that the struggles of students and workers are interconnected and must be fought together to safeguard democratic and social rights in the country.
“Students are not isolated from the broader realities faced by the working class. We are all victims of the same anti-people economic policies,” said Dinesh Seerangaraj, General Secretary of AISF.
The student leaders called upon their members across campuses to stand in solidarity with the striking workers on July 9 and actively participate in the protest demonstrations planned across the country.
“From contract teachers to sanitation workers, every section is under attack. Students must understand that what’s happening to workers today will affect their futures as well,” said Balaram Sajeev, General Secretary of PSU.
“The central government’s priorities are clear — to hand over public assets to corporates and crush any resistance,” said Amit Singh, Convener of AISB. “This is not just a labour issue. It’s a fight to preserve democratic rights and public accountability.”
Prasenjeet Kumar, General Secretary of AISA, added: “The corporate-captured state is undermining both education and employment. We must build student-worker unity to defend the Constitution and the future of India’s youth.”
With this declaration of support, Left student organisations have joined a broadening front of opposition voices gearing up for the general strike, which is expected to witness massive participation from workers in transport, banking, education, health and other key sectors.
