Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union president and SFI leader Aishe Ghosh is scheduled to lead a four-km-long march here on Wednesday to protest the BJP’s attempt at saffronisation of education and its politics of communal polarisation.
This will be the SFI leader’s first visit to her hometown since she was attacked by suspected ABVP activists at the JNU girls’ hostel on January 5.
“We have planned the rally only two days ago after we came to know about Aishe’s visit to her hometown. All senior district CPM, Citu and SFI leaders will accompany her in the procession,” said Laltu Sengupta, a CPM West Burdwan district committee member.
Aishe will also deliver a speech at the end of the march. She will hold the rally hours after chief minister Mamata Banerjee will lead a march here to protest the Narendra Modi government’s citizenship thrusts.
Mamata will arrive in Durgapur on Wednesday afternoon to lead the 7km-long procession.
The CPM has applied for police permission to take out the rally but sources said the party was yet to get the go-ahead. “The chief minister is scheduled to hold a padayatra around 2pm in the town. So, we are yet to give permission for the CPM’s rally. The matter is under consideration,” said a senior police officer in Durgapur.
The CPM, however, insisted on taking out the march.
“Our event is planned around 5pm and it will cover only a part of Durgapur Steel Plant township. Therefore, it will not affect the chief minister’s programme,” said a CPM leader.
Aishe’s father Debasish Ghosh, a DVC employee, said she would be in Durgapur only for a day.
Sources said the CPM in Durgapur wanted to use Aishe’s presence to add some oxygen and revitalise party workers.
“She has now become the face of protest against fascism and saffronisation of education. She has become very popular among the younger generation for her leading role in JNU and the attack on her by ABVP activists. Her presence will inspire our new generation of party workers,” said a CPM leader.
Mamata will also attend an administrative review meeting in Durgapur on Thursday.