DSF is an independent, leftwing students' organisation which was formed in 2012-13 by student activists of JNU. DSF seeks to strengthen the progressive and democratic students' movement across the country on the basis of independent, principled positions on the issues confronting the student community.
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In 2012, DSF led JNUSU gave the first call of protest and chakka jam following the brutal gang rape of a student in Delhi on 16th December 2012. The movement that followed, ushered in a new national discourse that challenged gender norms and patriarchy. JNUSU President V. Lenin Kumar and GSCASH Representative Ruchira Sen, both members of DSF, were invited by the Justice Verma Committee (JVC) to give recommendations regarding policy interventions to combat sexual violence.
DSF led JNUSU in 2012 led a spirited struggle for the increase of the Means cum Merit (MCM) scholarship, and the scholarship was increased from ₹1500 to ₹2000. DSF led JNUSU also ensured that regular remedial classes are held in SLL&CS with payment for classes ensured for student volunteers.
DSF comrades sat on a 9-day hunger strike in 2016 to protest the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula in 2016. DSF was also a part of the Joint Action Committee that led the movement to ensure justice for Rohith.
DSF was at the forefront of the movement against the arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar and JNU activists Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya in 2016 under the draconian sedition act.
In 2019, when the the JNU Administration tried to impose massive fee hike on the students, DSF was the first organization to conduct meticulous research on the socio-economic composition of the JNU student community and bring out a detailed report on the Draft Hostel Manual 2019 and the impact of the fee hike on the JNU student community. DSF was also at the forefront of the protest in 2019 against Fee Hike and the Draft Hostel Manual which was led by the JNUSU.
DSF actively participated in the movement against the UGC's decision to cut down the Non-NET Fellowships in 2015; DSF then undertook a survey on fellowships, which showed the importance of fellowships in sustaining research in public universities.
In 2015, the DSF initiated the Pads Against Sexism campaign in JNU in solidarity with the campaign started by 19 year old Elone Kastrati in Germany which was further taken up by students from JMI and Delhi University as well. DSF comrades put up posters and sanitary pads with feminist quotes across the campus. The campaign needs to be also seen in the context of the concerted attack on women's right under the Modi government. The campaign was also a statement against the day-to-day sexism prevalent across spaces be it universities, media or the field of sports.
