Why I am Supporting Jeremy Corbyn MP

Labour leadership election is on and Jeremy Corbyn is ahead in the Labour leadership race. I am ecstatically happy about the thought of Jeremy as the leader to lead next Labour-led Government. I am supporting and only voting Jeremy because of the privilege to see him closely and having a working experience with him in a tumultuous situation.

Today is 28 August 2015. Literally, 3 years back on this very day Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) Licence of a university to recruit international students was revoked by ConDem Government just to fulfil their disgusting political agenda.

However, the next morning students gathered at their Holloway campus. It was a historic day for the international students in the UK. Students came out on the street, they marched to Downing Street, organised uncountable protests, rallies and demonstrations on the street of the UK including gathering in front of the Home Office. They called for shutting down of the former UK Boarder Agency (UKBA) that was later scrapped and restructured as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). They called for the resignation of then-Immigration Minister (later he was reshuffled) and Home Secretary.

This is a triumphant story that has turned into a proud history for not only International students but also for Home and EU students.

And this story was written and painted by a group of restless students from their own campus and their Students' Union, their National Students' Union, staff unions, student activist groups and students across the country.

A number of media played a significantly positive role. So many MPs, politician, business personalities, lawyers and charities came to support the campaign.

And most significantly, a person, an MP, their local, Islington North, MP Jeremy Corby came and stood by those students on the street. Whenever, wherever an action was taken, Jeremy came to support those vulnerable and marginalised students. He used to come with his bike, sometimes on foot; his presence was everywhere. He even tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the Parliament calling on the Government to reinstate the HTS licence of the university. Thus, he became an integral part of the campaign. His down-to-earthiness and simplicity inspired and motivated every student. Without his contentious support, it would not have been possible to win the battle.

This is Jeremy Corbyn, who believes in equality in every sector of our life. And I also believe in this ‪#‎CorbynSociety‬.
Therefore, I'm supporting Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of Labour Party to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Why can’t you or I be PM?

Syed Rumman

                       

                                   ( First published in Dhaka Tribune on 7 February 2015)

There is a difference between power and responsibility. In the name of politics, two major political parties in Bangladesh are running after power, but not in order to take responsibility for the people or to serve them.

Politics is a very broad term, and it has widespread significance. Politics governs a system where people choose their representatives considering their policies and their ability to lead people of a particular constituency or territory through a democratic process. This democracy enables these leaders to be lawmakers, so that they may enact laws for the territory or the state that ensures people’s rights and the security of their lives.

Conversely, what is happening in Bangladesh? Can we actually call it politics or democracy? This is clearly a fight between two “Rahman” families to take ownership of Bangladesh. None of these two parties are willing to compromise.

Their intolerance and stubbornness are jeopardising the lives of the general people of Bangladesh, leading the country to socioeconomic instability. In the middle of their political blame game, general people are suffering.

There is no one to wipe the tears of these vulnerable people. They cannot escape from this power-grabbing game. Deprived poor and middle class people try their best to move forward, but in return they are the ones who get killed, burnt, and lose family members and loved ones through no fault of their own.

The question can be raised: How many so-called political activists have actually understood what they are doing? Do these political thugs, in the name of the political activism, know what they are doing? Do they realise that this savagery may come back to them and make them suffer some day? Alas! They don’t know that their own people harbour disdain for them.

Many politicians have children living or studying abroad, safe from petrol bombs or other atrocities. A majority of the people of Bangladesh would still like to see a tolerant political system, and exercise their democratic voting rights.

On the streets, tea-stalls, shopping centres, buses, bus counters, trains, rail stations, and in ferries – people are always going on with conversations about the politics of Bangladesh and its future.

We talk about the spirit of the Liberation War. With great dismay, we forget to recall the spirit of social and economic independence for people. It has not been achieved yet, long after the Liberation War. Is this what people wanted in 1971?

Yes, disregarding the political differences, the time has come to ask ourselves: Do we really want to be slaves of the two families? I sincerely thank the two leaders for running and leading the country all these years.

But a question still remains: Can’t I have the dream to be the prime minister of Bangladesh in order to serve the people? Can’t you have that dream too? Why does this so-called democracy only allow two families to run this country? Why can’t we have a system that would allow a person to be the prime minister of Bangladesh for no more than two terms?

But, it is evident that, time and again, we have to let our dream slip through our fingers, we have to let people die, and we have to be tolerant of this intolerant, so-called democracy in Bangladesh. In the name of democracy, people are being fooled, they are being robbed, and they are being enslaved.

However, we have to come out of this. We need a complete independence that ensures our freedom to move across the country and to run businesses without fear.

It is my strong conviction that the general people of Bangladesh still hope for a country where there will not be any atrocity or intolerance. Instead, there will be a politics upholding its ethos.

In that Bangladesh, you or I can
also be the prime minister, so that we may serve the people, not be their master.

Syed Rumman: Poet and Former Governor and Vice-President of London Metropolitan University

Vote Syed Rumman as NUS International students' Officer

I believe in being Proactive! For a long time we have seen the International students’ section within NUS as being re-active to situations rather then being proactive, vote for me and I will change this. My Manifesto is more then just mere words on a piece of paper I plan to: Re-instate PSW visa and give our international students the right they deserve. Thousands of International students come to the UK with the hope of working once they have completed their course, however the government scrapped PSW visa. I plan to lobby and campaign against the government to re-instate PSW visa. University Census point (Attendance monitoring): -- many of our international students are victims to harassment by the University because of the horrendous UKBA requirements of keeping tracks on International students. Students are subjected to stand in long queue. Delays in securing Visa- Students have been subject to endless waiting for their visa being renewed. What I plan to do is campaign against this, over the past 3 years NUS international sections has failed completely in addressing this issue we need a year long campaign to make sure that this is addressed. If elected I plan to campaign for this with immediate effect as nothing has been done. To make it a clear period of time, and given my experience to take on the fight against UKBA when my university was attacked by UKBA, by revoking our HTS license I made sure our voices were heard, I organised the first ever demonstration against UKBA at `10 downing street’ this followed by many other demonstrations against the home office which resulted in London met securing the HTS sponsorship license again. I have a plan, a vision for change a vision to fight for the right of every international student. I made sure when the University decided to deregister students from Syria I fought against the university management and secured victory for the students even when they had not paid their fees. I shall be your voice as I believe in NUS INTERNATIONAL SECTIONS BEING PROACTIVE RATHER THEN REACTIVE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR SYED RUMMAN AS NUMBER 1 FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ OFFICER.

After saving thousands of international students of LondonMet running for NUS International Students’ Officer

My name is Syed Rumman and I am your candidate for the position of International Students’ Officer at NUS for the academic year2013/14. I have been the Vice President (Education) at London Metropolitan University Students’ Union for past two years. My two years as Vice-President and four years as an international student at London Metropolitan University have given me ample knowledge and understanding of the life of international students in the UK. As an international student I am a victim of government changes to the immigration system, a true sufferer of cultural shocks on campus and a survivor of a series of serious obstacles during my student life in the UK. I believe it is not only me and that there are many thousands of international students like me who have stories to tell and traumatic experiences to share. I am just one of those who has taken the opportunity to stand and speak up for their fellow students and brought changes to their lives. I want to be the person who can bring real change to your student life and can boldly speak on your behalf. I therefore decided to stand as International Students’ Officer at the National Union of Students and I need your help to be elected. Please vote for me as International Students’ Officer.

Life is hard as an international student, isn’t it?

International students face the hard life in the UK. There were significant changes to the immigration system last year that affected all international students in the UK, but there was no major protest from the NUS to prevent such changes. Many students left the UK for other destinations. The abolition of the PSW scheme has left many thousands of students in limbo. Strict regulations on spouse visa have also caused serious problems in the lives of many undergraduate international students in the UK. It is the time to stand up and work hard to lobby the government and other regulatory bodies to bring change to the lives of international students in the UK.

Changing the lives of international students

I am a true leader who can deliver the changes that you need in your student life in the UK. During my time at London Metropolitan University I have actively campaigned for international students’ issues, most notably during the UKBA’s unjustified attack on the University. My active leadership and passion for helping students have resulted in a victory for three thousand international students at the University. I am a true fighter for the rights of students and will continue to do so to defend the rights of students in the UK

You should elect me because:

· I have made changes to thousands of students lives at London Metropolitan University while fighting the UKBA’s unjustified attack on international students

· I have wholeheartedly worked with almost every students’ union in London and many other unions across the country to lobby the government on the issue of international student visa and work permit obstacles

· I have called for a National Charter for International Students

If I am elected then I will:

§ Work with all students’ unions across the country to lobby each university to level international students opportunities with those of home students

§ Lobby NUS high officials and officers mobilise NUS resources to defend students from deportation in the face of visa issue

§ Work closely with all the private colleges to bring them under the umbrella of NUS to increase the number of international students under NUS membership and lobby the government to bring positive changes to the lives of international students in the UK

§ Create effective and frequent international students’ forums, where students will have a unique chance to put forward their ideas and issues surrounding international student education

§ Create a students’ union scholarship program for international students

§ Break down the barriers between international students, EU students and home students

§ Review and compile the rights of international students across the different areas of student life

§ I will work closely with students’ unions to arrange meetings every two weeks where international students will get the chance to share their university experiences and then lobby the NUS to help students to take appropriate steps to resolve the issues raised by the students

§ Promote cultural events from all backgrounds on campus to break down cultural barriers among students

§ Keep students informed of all issues and help them to prepare or take necessary steps to prevent themselves from any major affect to their lives within the UK

§ I will promote British education across the globe

Please vote Syed Rumman #1 for your International Students’ Officer

In Response to Immigration Minister Mr Harper on Times Higher Education

Does the Immigration Minister Mr. Harper know that the creation of a £2M Taskforce using taxpayers’ money proves how bad it was to strip LMU's HTS licence? It is really surprising that all he is concern about international bad publicity which he thinks could have been avoided by creating a Task force before revoking LMU's licence to sponsor international students. Isn't it Minister's responsibility to ensure taxpayers’ money is being used for the well-being of them but not to mitigate their own mistakes or a bad decision. He said it was "absolutely right" to strip LMU's HTS licence but he confused himself later by admitting not having enough pre-cautionary measures which caused bad publicity home and abroad. I personally believe law-makers should be more responsible as their one small mistake can make people’s life extremely vulnerable. This needs to be ensured that no one is being punished due to others fault. Task force might have resolved some of the issues but it created a fear among the whole international students body, everyday they wake up with a new question-what if this institution's HTS licence also gets stripped. There should be a policy agreement that even if an institution' HTS licence gets suspended or revoked students of this institution should be given a fair opportunity to move to another institution after completing next available year or semester. A national charter for the international students also can be established which can be a safeguard for them. 

Syed Rumman
Vice-President
London Metropolitan University Students' Union

A story of an International Student

I am remembering my dad tonight; he used to say" Rumman, you have to do something in your life for yourself and the society, make it remarkable." My mom said " life is too short, you may become something in your life, may be very highly influential someone but do not forget that you were born for a reason. You can achieve so many things in your life but if you are not a good and honest person everything will go in vein...never escape from your responsibility..." My dad is no more, he passed away last year. 5 April 2011, a red-letter day in my life when I came to know my election result that I got elected as Vice-President of LondonMet SU, literally five minutes before I came to know my dad had passed away which was not a natural death (he was kidnapped and afterwards killed on 29 March 2011 but we came to know a week later). I flew back home like an arrow to see my heart broken mom and only elder sister. We were shattered and drown in a magic reality. What a life. Spending around 4years to get my LLB (Hons) degree from LondonMet I could not visit my family, I could not see my old school friends. My dad was preparing to receive me with flowers as if he would be welcoming a champion or a hero. Alas, all his dream went away with him!

But no, I'm still here remembering his every single word. I'm obeying his words and dreams to make them real. I took the challenge and this challenge escorted me here today. My challenge taught me life is

very simple, they way you want to lead, it will be led. Yet, there are obstacles and we need to overcome all these. When we do so we can become a hero in our own life and history itself writes our own history.

A history was written by you all on 21 September 2012 and I am also a part of it, but why and how?

I came to the UK to become a Barrister-at-Law and LondonMet helped me to get a place in City Law School, City University London. Also, I have become a member of Honourable Lincolns Inn. Which is a dream and it is now history. On 17 September I sent an email to City University stating " Dear Sean, I hope you know the current situation with London Metropolitan University in relation to the revocation of Highly Trusted Sponsor Status. As an elected representative of the students' Union, I strongly feel like to stand in solidarity with International students as at this moment both home and international students need my support to represent them. It will not be ideal to lose out them on representation. After considering everything, though I may have to face some consequence in my personal life, I would like to defer my BPTC course for next year. I do apologise for the late notice and any inconvenience caused by me... " My naive sister told me why are you bothering yourself, just start your BPTC, finish and come back here, accomplish our dad’s dream. But I made her understand that these students who voted for me, who showed their respect towards me, I cannot leave them putting their lives at stake, how can I escape from my responsibility. Students are panicking, they need me now. Then she said, “ Sorry, I understand you now, okay my little brother, do your best to establish students' rights, do not stop the fight till it ends..."

Yes, I did not escape from my responsibility rather I declared I am ready to fight till my last breath." When I asked my fellow students “Are you with me?" they replied " yes, we are, we are also ready to fight till our last breath."

The history we made it is ongoing. From now on every step we make will be part of history. We will make sure in order to protect our prestigious British Education we will always be standby. My voice is not only mine, it is yours. I am listening to you in order to deliver. My action is your action, I am just driving it and you are my inspiration and driving force. I did not stop and I will never. It is just a beginning. We will walk side by side; we are enlightened by our victory. This victory is against the austerity.

I know a number of other International students come here to make their dream success so that when they go back home they can get a better future with a world class ticket (certificate). I know students who could not attend his mom’s funeral the way I could not even see my dad for the last time. I know the student who could not see his wife for the last time while she died giving birth a baby girl. I know the student who came to know his only little sister died while was preparing for the exam. I know stories more than these. I have written some tonight, you right tomorrow and we’ll put all the stories together and we will say in chorus “We’re not with mercy, show your curtsy”.

Syed Rumman

Vice-President ( Education)

London Metropolitan University Students' Union.

Education, education on TUC Demonstration (20th October)

Dear comrade,

Higher education benefits everyone, (a country, community, society, individuals, and everyone is benefited from it).

And it is no surprise; that investment in Higher education has grown significantly over the past few years across the globe.

Despite growing investments in this sector, demand for graduates in every area of life, whether it is a developed or developing countries of the world, the demand of graduates are increasing greatly.

It because, to face the challenge of the future and also to meet the shortage of skills in our every area of life’s we need knowledge and that can be found from graduates from Higher education.

Knowledge is produced in universities and research institutions. Knowledge is also mastered in universities and other higher education programs.

Knowledge is converted to technology by the act of invention that for centuries benefited our civil societies, it has helped us to developed social cohesion, it keeps the community together, it shows people the writhe path, and it keeps us moving and hep us all to pursue the life we want not only for us but also for our next generation.

And today whatever good and whatever advancement in our life we have achieved, it is the dividend of the past investment in Higher Education by our predecessor governments for centuries.

When, the Indian first Prime Minister, Pandit Jaharal Neharu put his vision for India

He knew India to revive its economy and to become a super power nation of the world must make colossal investment in Education.

Thus, Pandit Neharu (fifty years ago) put his maximum budget in Education (especially in the area of Higher Education)

But some people of India were not very happy with that investment as, fifty years ago they did not vision the outcome of it, but Pandit Neharu did.

It is with pride that India is a super Nation today.

And it is not because India has performed best in every aspect of its people Life like most of the countries in the west,

But it is because Pandiat Neharus investment in HE is paying its dividends (while producing first-class graduates in IT, Business and many other areas) that contributed to India national Economy. And for a number of years made the Country as one of the most economically successful nation on earth.

For centuries, countries envision itself to the future and the backbone of the vision was the education. They asked themselves how we can get there; the ultimate answer was and still is the education, education and education...

Like you all I am here with a vision, a vision of the peaceful world, a world with abundant resource where people pursue happiness and I am sure we can build such world with proper education for all.

So let us gather and share our expertise and mobilise everyone for the TUC Demo tomorrow (20th October) that will help to secure our education system, significantly the sector of HE for us and the next generation to come.

Syed Rumman

Vice-President ( Education)

London Metropolitan University Students' Union.