IYC seeks Amit Shah's removal over July 20 student crackdown, adopts resolution

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress on Friday said it has adopted a political resolution calling for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's removal over the July 20 police action against protesting students in Delhi, while announcing a nationwide campaign demanding accountability.

The resolution, titled 'Nirmaan aur Pratirodh (Construction and Resistance)', was adopted at the Indian Youth Congress's (IYC) three-day national executive meeting held here from August 11 to 13, according to an official statement.

The Congress' youth wing said it would launch a nationwide democratic movement over the July 20 incident and has also started an online "chargesheet" against Shah and a citizens' petition seeking his removal.


The IYC's demand comes amid its continuing campaign on issues concerning students, including the education system, examinations and employment.

"Justice for students, accountability for July 20" is listed as the first and most prominent demand in the resolution.

The organisation also said it would build a national movement for reforms in the education and examination system, seeking greater transparency, accessibility and accountability.

Under its ongoing 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign, the IYC said it would continue mobilising students around jobs, justice and accountability.

According to the statement, the resolution also aopts 'PANJA' as the organisation's political framework, with the five components standing for Padhai education), Avsar (opportunity), Nyay (justice), Jawabdehi (accountability) and Azaadi (freedom).

The IYC said the framework would be taken beyond a political slogan and developed into a movement focused on the rights and aspirations of young people.

The outfit also accused the BJP and RSS of weakening constitutional institutions and democratic accountability, and said the Youth Congress would support Rahul Gandhi's campaign to "defend the Constitution".

The national executive meeting was attended by AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar and AICC in-charge for Bihar Krishna Allavaru, among others.

According to the statement, the resolution broadly sets out a two-pronged strategy for the youth Congress -- strengthening its organisational network at the grassroots level while intensifying political mobilisation around student issues, unemployment and what it describes as attacks on democratic rights.

The IYC said it would take the campaign to states, districts, assembly constituencies, blocks and local communities, with a focus on issues it says affect "young India."