Journalism of Courage
As they join the young brigade of politicians in Parliament,MPs Agatha Sangma and Hamadullah Sayeed have a common thread to share with some of the most veteran politicians in the country. Along with becoming the youngest Parliamentarians of the 15th Lok Sabha,the two have also become a part of the bandwagon of politicians that ILS Law College has produced.
They both belonged to the 2005 pass out batch of BSL LLB. Though we all knew that they hailed from political families,never did any one of them disclose their plans of joining politics. In fact,after passing out,both of them had the plans of joining law firms and if I am not mistaken,Agatha had even joined one in Delhi, says Vaijayanti Joshi,principal,ILS Law College.
Recollecting some of the fond memories of Hamadullah Sayeed,Joshi adds,He was a low profile student and stayed in the college hostel. Regular for classes,he would normally be found in the college library after the lectures were over. I have heard that Parliament has a great library. His father would make him visit the library during his visits to Delhi and am sure he will spend some time in the same library even now. While others preferred to visit canteen in their free times,Hamadullah would be seen working out in the college gym. There have been times when the two of us have worked out together, smiles the proud teacher.
While her memories of Agatha are not many,Joshi categorises Agatha as a calm and assertive lawyer. Many would misunderstand her as shy. But if there are two categories of lawyers — aggressive and assertive — she belongs to the latter, says Joshi. While P A Sangma,Agathas father,never visited the college during her tenure as a student,P M Sayeed,late Congress leader visited the college several times for his son,including once when he was invited as the chief guest for the college gathering in 2004. I remember that day,when P M Sayeed told us how his son had threatened him to deliver an effective speech, recollects Joshi.
Satisfactory performers academically,the college authorities have high hopes from the young MPs. We at the Law College impart a sense of justice to our students. On any issue,be it social,economic or political,designing and implementing policies effectively is something that the two will have to master. Based on our motto,derived from Vedic verses,that says ‘Law is the foundation of the Universe’,we are sure that the two will live up to the expectations of the nation,thus making law,the basis of national policies as well, she concludes.
The college has planned to felicitate Agatha and Hamadullah during their alumni function in August,informed Joshi.
