Guwahati Students Voice Demands for Substantive Progress Over Electoral Doles
In the bustling academic hubs of Guwahati, a clear and resonant call is emerging from the student community as election season approaches. Students, many of whom hail from diverse regions across Assam, are articulating a collective fatigue with superficial electoral promises and are instead demanding a decisive shift from temporary "doles" to meaningful, long-term development. Their voices, captured through campus tours by journalists, highlight a deep-seated desire for governance that translates promises into tangible action.
Core Priorities: Identity, Education, and Economic Transformation
The students' agenda is multifaceted, with several critical issues taking center stage. A primary demand is the urgent implementation of Clause 6 of the historic 1985 Assam Accord. As Manash Pratim Das, a PG student at Gauhati University, emphasizes, "I want the government to actually work on Clause 6 and ensure constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, social, and linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. Every government has promised this, but I want whoever is elected to actually deliver on it."
Parallel to this is a pressing concern over educational and medical infrastructure. Dhriti Deep Das, another PG student from Gauhati University, points out, "While many new institutions have been established, significant infrastructural gaps persist. The transformation of colleges into universities is noted, but the critical shortage of qualified teachers undermines these advancements."
Economically, the focus is shifting from job-seeking to job-creation. Anol Ankush Bora, an LLM student, argues, "We are tired of pre-election job promises. The real need is to foster an environment that cultivates job creators, not just job seekers. We aspire to be self-sufficient, but the current ecosystem is not sufficiently conducive to entrepreneurial growth." Jeet Pathak, a PG student at Cotton University, adds a technological dimension, noting, "This is the age of AI. We envision Assam evolving into India's next major technological hub, requiring focused investment and policy support."
Broader Political and Social Concerns
Beyond specific policy areas, students are advocating for enhanced political transparency and a robust democratic framework. Marjana Kashyap, a UG student at Cotton University, stresses, "Transparency is crucial, but equally important is the need for a proper, strong opposition party in the state. A democracy cannot thrive without an effective opposition to hold the government accountable and keep it on track."
A poignant social issue raised is the safety and discrimination faced by people from the northeast across India. Bidisha Das, a UG student, shares, "As a daughter of the northeast, I may feel secure here, but this sense of safety does not extend to other parts of the country. I urge the incoming government to guarantee our safety and actively combat discrimination nationwide."
Critical Views on Government Schemes and Development
While acknowledging some positive initiatives, students offer a critical perspective on government schemes. Jushi Prana Deka, a PG student, comments, "Several schemes in recent years have been beneficial, but there is a clear need for more youth-targeted programs dedicated to holistic development."
Nishanta Ghosh, a UG student, delivers a sharp critique of electoral handouts, stating, "Distributing doles before elections has become a troubling trend. This approach fosters dependency and diminishes the incentive for employment-seeking, which is ultimately detrimental to both individuals and the broader economy."
However, not all feedback is negative. Saanjh Ahmed, a UG student at Handique Girls' College, highlights tangible improvements, saying, "Infrastructural development in the city is evident. As someone born and raised here, I was previously hesitant to cross to north Guwahati due to ferry fears. The new bridge has been transformative, allowing me to visit the other bank of the Brahmaputra multiple times. Services like app-based autos have also made daily travel significantly easier."
This collective student discourse from Guwahati campuses underscores a generation's demand for governance that moves beyond electoral gimmicks to deliver substantive progress on identity, infrastructure, economy, and social justice.
