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V. P. Sanu

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V. P. Sanu
President of the Students' Federation of India
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 January 2016
Preceded byV. Sivadasan
General SecretaryMayukh Biswas (2018-till date)
Personal details
Born (1988-10-31) 31 October 1988 (age 36)
Valanchery, Kerala, India
Political partyCommunist Party of India (Marxist)
Alma mater• MES Keveeyam College, Valanchery
• Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit

V. P. Sanu (born 31 October 1988) is an Indian politician who is currently the National President of the Students' Federation of India, the students' wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).[1][2] He is also a member of the Kerala state committee of the CPI(M).[3] He contested the parliamentary election in 2019 polls and 2021 by-polls representing CPI(M) in Malappuram, Kerala against IUML and lost both times.

Political career

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Student activist

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Sanu started his political life by organising SFI at GHSS Kuttippuram. He was active in Balasangam and later became the district secretary of the organisation at Malappuram.[4] He has held the responsibilities of Area Secretary of Students' Federation of India at Valancherry, President and Secretary of Malappuram District Committee, President of the Kerala State Committee of Students' Federation of India.[4] The 15th All India Conference of Students' Federation of India at Sikar, Rajasthan elected him as the National President of SFI.[5] He was re-elected as the National President at the 16th All India Conference of Students' Federation of India held at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in 2018 and 17th All India Conference held at Hyderabad in 2022 .[6][2][7]

During his term as the National President of SFI the organisation has witnessed remarkable growth in southern and northern states of India.[8][9] He played a key role in organising rallies against Narendra Modi on 15 March 2016 at New Delhi demanding improved budget allocation for education, health and employment generation.[10] He has led movements demanding justice for Rohit Vemula and Najeeb Ahamed at national capital. He became a strong voice against the "13-point roster system" and scuttling off reservation in universities during faculty recruitment.[11][12] Sanu gave a call for boycotting Hewlett Packard (HP) protesting against the Israel's violation of human rights in Palestine.[13][14][15][16] Sanu was a delegate to World Festival of Youth and Students held at Sochi, Russia on 14 to 22 August 2017.

Sanu has led a massive national jatha starting from Kanyakumari and passing through 22 states of India from 4 to 17 September 2018.[17] The jatha was directed against the anti-student policies of Narendra Modi and raised the slogan of "Scientific and Quality Education Without Discrimination".[17] He has taken part in rallies against Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata.[18] On 18 February 2019, under the leadership of Sanu, students' federation of India and several left organisations marched to parliament demanding the 10 percentage of central government budget allocation for education and the implementation of Bhagat Singh National Employment Guarantee scheme.[19][20]

He openly declared support for Women in Cinema Collective and criticised Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) for their decision to take back actor Dileep, who was accused in abduction and sexual harassment of an actress in Kerala.[21] He asked to reconsider decisions to call film actors affiliated to AMMA for SFI programmes.[21] Sanu has taken strong position against moral policing.[22][23] He has played a major leadership role in more than hundred days of student protests at Calicut university against the then vice chancellor Abdul Salaam and has led marches demanding the implementation of charter of demands.[24] He arranged the screening of The Unbearable Being of Lightness, March March March and In the Shade of Fallen Chinar in campuses across India. These were the short films banned by Central Government at the International Documentary and Short Film festival of 2016.[25] He disbanded the SFI unit in Trivandrum after its members entered into serious clashes.[26]

His tenure along with Mayukh Biswas as national leadership of Students Federation of India articulated resistance to National Education Policy 2019.[27] The dimensions of exclusion, centralization and commercialisation was considered as the major problems of NEP-2019. Ever since the draft of NEP got published, India has seen nationwide protest action against the educational policies of Narendra Modi Government.[28] SFI found NEP as an instrument by the central government for a) undermining independent research b) destroying the federal character of education system and c) deepening commercialisation and privatisation of education.[29] He slammed central government for violating the federal spirit in implementing educational reforms.[30][31] He raised concerns with University Grants Commission for extending online education as a routine activity and highlighted the infrastructural and socio-economic bottleneck faced in the higher education sector.[32] He said online education will act as a glass ceiling for first-generation learners.[32] He was also in the fore front demanding proper investigation and punishment of stupidities for the institutional murder of Fathima Lathif, a student of IIT Madras.[33][34]

Under his leadership, Students Federation of India took out a parliament march against Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.[35] He said "CAA is not only directed against Muslims but against the working class in general, indigenous people, and backward communities."[36] He pointed out that the core values of Indian Constitution is attacked by Modi government.[37] SFI approached the Supreme Court of India demanding the repeal of CAA - 2019 and took account parliament march against it.[38][39][40] He did a 13 km long protest rally from Panangangara to Malappuram against Amit Shah's statement that CAA will be implemented in Kerala after 2021 polls.[41][42] The rally was attacked by Muslim League activists at Makkaraparamba, Malappuram.[43][44] Sanu was earlier assaulted by Muslim Students Federation while attending a farmers solidarity meeting at Malappuram.[45][46]

During COVID-19 pandemic, In first of an attempt in India, he handed over WISK (Walk-in Sample Kiosk) developed by SFI activists to Government hospital, Tirur.[47][48] SFI also initiated TV Challenge to help marginalised students learn during the pandemic.[49] He said the campaign was aimed to bridge the digital divide in Kerala.[49] He strongly criticized the Draft Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation, 2021 and said that "this bizarre formulation should give a hint about the heights of Praful Patel's mal-administration."[50][51] In December 2021, Sanu criticized the Kerala Governor Arif Muhammed Khan for being a puppet controlled by RSS and asked him to be relieved from the post of Chancellor of the universities in Kerala if he wishes.[52] On the Hijab ban in Karnataka's educational institution Sanu commented that "Hijab is cited as reason to deny Muslim women's right to education."[53]

Controversies

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Sanu entered a major controversy for his critique of Indian Judiciary.[54][55] He criticized Kerala High Court Judge Justice Devan Ramachandran for working in submission to the Modi led union government. He finds both Justice Devan Ramachandran and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan as sharing similar perspectives on matters regarding Kerala state.[54] He also said whether this is to receive laurels or positions will only be apparent once Justice Ramachandran retires.[54] However, a lawyer moved to court against this remark for suo moto contempt case.[55]

Party Politics

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In 2022, V P Sanu got elected to the Kerala state committee of CPI(M). He was earlier part of the Malappuram district committee of the party.

VP Sanu during his nomination rally for 2021 bye-polls at Malappuram.

2019 Malappuram Lok Sabha Election

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The Left Democratic Front in Kerala has fielded him as the candidate at Malappuram parliamentary constituency for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.[56][57][58][59] He received international solidarity for his candidature. Student and youth activists from Canada, Turkey and Bolivia issued statements appealing the voters of Malappuram.[60][61] Sanu contested against P. K. Kunhalikutty of IUML. In the legislative assembly election of 1991, Sanu's father V. P. Sakkariya also has contested against P. K. Kunhalikutty as a CPI(M) candidate.[62][63]

2021 Malappuram Lok Sabha Bye-Election

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V P Sanu is the LDF Candidate in 2021 Malappuram (Lok Sabha constituency) bye-polls.[64][65][66] The security deposit for his elections were donated by farmer leaders from Punjab and Bihar, who are leading the ongoing farmers' protest in the country against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.[67][68] He criticised the IUML leader P.K Kunhalikutty for the poor parliamentary performance and the notable absence during the Triple Talaq bill voting and the Vice President election.[69][70][71]

Sanu lost the election to M.P. Abdussamad Samadani. However, he recorded CPI(M)'s best performance in the IUML strong hold. He reduced the margin of IUML from 2, 60,153 votes to 1,14,615 votes, a dip of 1.5 lakh votes[72]

Articles

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1) A Battle for India's Soul. Jacobin. 3.1.2020

2) Politics Behind the Call for Ending Autonomy of Kerala State. Newsclick. 27.6.2023

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Universities have cancelled elections because SFI wins every time: V P Sanu". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b "എസ്എഫ്ഐ അഖിലേന്ത്യ പ്രസിഡന്‍റായി വി.പി. സാനു; മയൂഖ് വിശ്വസ് സെക്രട്ടറി". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  3. ^ "John Brittas, Chintha Jerome, V P Sanu among new faces in CPM state committee". English.Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b "ഇടത് സ്ഥാനാര്‍ത്ഥികളിലെ ബേബി വി.പി സാനു; അട്ടിമറി സ്വപ്‌നങ്ങളുമായി മലപ്പുറത്ത്‌". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  5. ^ "15th All India Conference of SFI Concludes Successfully in Sikar". Peoples Democracy. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  6. ^ "വി.പി സാനു എസ്.എഫ്.ഐ ദേശീയ പ്രസിഡന്‍റ്". Madhyamam. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  7. ^ "വി.പി. സാനു എസ്എഫ്ഐ ദേശീയ പ്രസിഡന്റ്". ManoramaOnline. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  8. ^ "City to host state level SFI convention". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Beyond campuses and old bastions, SFI looks to new frontiers". Hindustan Times. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  10. ^ "SFI vows to fight against communal forces". thehansindia.com. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  11. ^ "SFI protests against roster recruitment system". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Left student groups unite to fight MHRD bid to 'end reservations'". Outlook (India). Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Hewlett Packard (HP) Faces $120 Million in Potential Losses Due to its Complicity in Israel's Violations of Palestinian Human Rights". BDS Movement. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  14. ^ Says, Reva Buche (14 June 2018). "Hewlett Packard To Lose Millions as India's Student Federation Endorses Pro-Palestinian BDS (VIDEO)". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Communist Indian Student Group Endorses BDS, Targets Hewlett Packard". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Hewlett Packard (HP) Faces $120 Million in Potential Losses Due to its Complicity in Israel's Violations of Palestinian Human Rights - Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC)". Indian Cultural Forum. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Students March to Demand Scientific and Quality Education Which is Fair to All". NewsClick. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  18. ^ Ganguli, Panchali (22 January 2019). "SFI All India President VP Sanu took part in a protest rally against State and Central Govt". Kolkata Today. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Students to organise 'Dilli Chalo' march on Feb 18". Deccan Herald. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  20. ^ "SFI to launch Delhi Chalo movement for pro-student edu policy". Outlook (India). Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  21. ^ a b "'Think before inviting AMMA men to colleges': SFI head on film industry row". thenewsminute.com. July 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  22. ^ "Get out or get axed: SFI chief's strong message to moral police". OnManorama. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  23. ^ "SFI not an outfit for moral policing: V P Sanu". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  24. ^ "SFI march raises charter of demands". The Hindu. 26 July 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  25. ^ "'Banned' documentaries at Kerala film festival to be screened, states SFI". Mumbai Mirror. PTI. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  26. ^ "'I apologise to people of Kerala': Why SFI's V P Sanu disbanded University College Unit after comrade stabs comrade". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  27. ^ "SFI Protests Against Proposed NEP, Burns Draft Copies Across India". NewsClick. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  28. ^ "SFI calls for scrapping of draft National Education Policy". The Hindu. 26 November 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  29. ^ Das, Prajanma (29 July 2019). "Six reasons why SFI thinks the New Education Policy will destroy Indian education as we know it". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  30. ^ Nethaji, K. (27 February 2021). "Government of India violating federal spirit in education reforms : SFI All India President VP Sanu". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Tirupati: SFI flays Centre for violating federal spirit". www.thehansindia.com. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Vaccinate students, extend funds and aid: SFI writes to Pokhriyal to help students during pandemic". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Suicide in IIT-Madras: Many faced issues with the professor, alleges victim's sister". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  34. ^ Nath, Akshaya (15 November 2019). "IIT-Madras suicide: Parents to meet Tamil Nadu CM today as protestors continue to demand justice for Fathima Latheef". India Today. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  35. ^ "SFI, NSUI to take out Parliament march against CAA today". The Hindu. 18 December 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  36. ^ "A Battle for India's Soul". jacobinmag.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  37. ^ "Cores values of Constitution under attack: SFI president". The Hindu. 7 September 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  38. ^ "SFI moves Supreme Court challenging Citizenship Amendment Act". The Hindu. PTI. 19 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  39. ^ "SFI, NSUI to take out Parliament march against CAA today". The Hindu. 18 December 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  40. ^ "SFI march against CAA tomorrow". The Hindu. 14 December 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  41. ^ വാക്ക് വിത്ത് സാനു -13 കിലോമീറ്റർ നടന്ന് VP Sanuവിന്റെ തെരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് പ്രചാരണം; സമരം CAAയ്ക്കെതിരേ, retrieved 13 April 2021
  42. ^ 'വാക്ക് വിത്ത് സാനു ' വോട്ട് തേടി സാനുവിന്‍റെ പദയാത്ര | V P Sanu | Kerala Election 2021, retrieved 13 April 2021
  43. ^ "വിപി സാനുവിന്റെ ജാഥയ്ക്ക് നേരെ ലീഗ് ആക്രമണമെന്ന് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്; നാലു എല്‍ഡിഎഫ് പ്രവര്‍ത്തകര്‍ ആശുപത്രിയില്&#x200D". Reporter Live. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  44. ^ "വി പി സാനുവിന്റെ തെരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് ജാഥയ്ക്ക് നേരെ ലീഗ് ആക്രമണം". Kairali News | Kairali News Live l Latest Malayalam News. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  45. ^ "MSF activists attack SFI's National President V P Sanu in Malappuram". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  46. ^ Naha, Abdul Latheef (8 February 2021). "News photographer covering MSF protest hurt in police lathicharge". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  47. ^ "SFI donates WISK to Tirur District Hospital". The Hindu. 22 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  48. ^ Nijeesh, T. P. (22 May 2020). "Kerala: SFI develops Walk-in Sample Kiosk to fight Covid-19". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  49. ^ a b "We are against online education and digital divide: VP Sanu on why SFI started its TV Challenge". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  50. ^ "Lakshadweep: Why island residents are trending #SaveLakshadweep on social media". The Week. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  51. ^ "Lakshadweep campaigners organize Black Day protest". The Times of India. 31 May 2021.
  52. ^ "No one is singing 'aiyo acha povalle'; let CM or someone else take over as Chancellor: SFI". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  53. ^ Rhea Mogul, Manveena Suri and Swati Gupta. "Hijab protests spread as girls refuse to be told what not to wear". CNN. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  54. ^ a b c "VP Sanu slams Justice Devan Ramachandran, says he works for union govt". English.Mathrubhumi. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  55. ^ a b "VP Sanu's remarks against Justice Devan Ramachandran: Lawyer bats for suo moto proceedings". English.Mathrubhumi. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  56. ^ "CPI(M) releases list of candidates". The Hindu. 9 March 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  57. ^ "Lok Sabha polls 2019: CPI(M) finalises candidates to all Kerala constituencies except Ponnani". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  58. ^ "Kerala: CPI(M) announces list of Lok Sabha candidates". The Week. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  59. ^ "Kerala CPI (M) announces its 16 candidates". The Economic Times. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  60. ^ T. P. Nijeesh (13 April 2019). "Kerala: Students, activists rally behind VP Sanu | Kochi News". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  61. ^ ടി, അന്‍സിഫ് സി അബു/ വൈശാഖ് പി. "സാനു സ്റ്റാറാവും; ആശംസകള് നേര്‍ന്ന് അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര വിദ്യാര്‍ഥി നേതാക്കള്" [Sanu Stara; Greetings from international student leaders]. Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 22 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  62. ^ "V P Sanu hopes to defeat P K Kunhalikkutty in Malappuram". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  63. ^ "Election 2019". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  64. ^ "SFI leader VP Sanu is CPI(M) candidate for Malappuram bye-election". The News Minute. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  65. ^ "LDF to field VP Sanu for Malappuram LS bypoll". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  66. ^ "AP Abdullakutty is BJP candidate for Malappuram bypoll, CPM likely to name VP Sanu". The Indian Express. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  67. ^ "SFI's VP Sanu to fight the Malappuram Lok Sabha polls, farmer leaders fund his security deposit". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  68. ^ "v p sanu വി പി സാനുവിന് തെരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പില്‍ കെട്ടിവയ്ക്കാനുള്ള തുക കൈമാറി കര്‍ഷക നേതാക്കള്&#x200D". www.twentyfournews.com. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  69. ^ "'People won't tolerate betrayal': VP Sanu on PK Kunhalikutty quitting as MP". The News Minute. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  70. ^ മൂന്നിയൂര്&#x200D, അജ്മല്&#x200D. "ഫാസിസത്തിന് മുന്നില്‍ ഇട്ടെറിഞ്ഞ് പോകില്ലെന്ന ഉറപ്പാണ് എനിക്ക് നല്‍കാനുള്ളത്-വി.പി.സാനു". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 13 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  71. ^ സി.കെ.ഷിജിത്ത്. "വാക്കാണ് ഉറപ്പ്, സാനുവാണ് വിശ്വാസം". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  72. ^ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
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