Growing City

Politics is a part and parcel of any successful democracy. Colleges and universities are the nurseries that produce future leaders who wi...

Politics is a part and parcel of any successful democracy. Colleges and universities are the nurseries that produce future leaders who will have to set the agenda and frame the policies for the fellow citizens. If these educational institutions can churn out doctors, engineers, scientists, journalists and IAS officers, then why not dedicated politicians, committed to the cause of uplifting the country?

History shows that students in several parts of the world have been in the fore-front in buildings socio-economic order, and they have, more often than not, played a decisive role shaping the political destiny of their country.

In 1989 in China, students sacrificed their lives in the carnage in Tiannanmen Square for the cause of democracy. There are many other similar cases like that of Thailand and South Africa. What to speak of other countries, we ourselves have been a witness to the political activism of the youth in the Freedom Struggle. Educational institutions cannot remain isolated and insulated from the task of nation building.

Student period is the formative period in one8217;s life. Students of today are the future pillars of the nation, and political consciousness among them is indispensable for the formation of healthy public opinion.

It8217;s quite evident that Indian politics is losing its vitality by the entry of corrupt politicians. This slide can be checked by bringing enthusiastic youth into political arena. Healthy political discourses will enable them to get a firm grip on the political realities of the country. Student elections will work as an orientation course in national politics, and those students who wish to enter state or national politics will get the necessary exposure and confidence. The main contention against student elections and political activities in colleges and universities is that these often end up in violence, and disrupt academic atmosphere.

Though these apprehensions are not totally ungrounded violent incidents have begin to take place since last year even on the campus of our own peaceful PU this skeptical attitude has to be changed. The authorities must accept that the students have a right to form their union.

The problem is not with the politics whether students or national but with the criminalisation of politics. Politics is not bad in itself. It8217;s the people taking part in politics who are responsible for making it dirty. This reaffirms the need of good students standing for elections. But unfortunately, there is a feeling of apathy and indifference towards politics among most of the students.

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The violence in the educational institutions can be curbed by imposing justifiable restrictions on the nature of the political activities. The spheres of students union and of student wings of political parties must be kept distinct, in order to reduce tension.

The latter should not interfere with student matters. In no case should the students be allowed to be used as puppets in the hands of selfish politicians. But to go in for an outright ban on political activity is like removing poor in order to abolish poverty. Exposure of the right kind of politics is mandatory for they will engage their energy in some constructive purpose, show their qualities of leadership and co-operation and grow up into politically mature and sensitive citizens.

The writer is doing Masters in Mass Communication, Punjab University.