By Md Tauhid Nasir for BeyondHeadlines
In northern India, politics is traditionally been a favourite subject of debate and discussion among socio-economic middle-class youths and perhaps this is one of the reasons they are believed to be politically astute people. Be
Universities and colleges are institutions where youths go to learn science and technology, art and culture, peace and brotherhood that contribute to the foundation of an effervescent society and safeguards the fundamental interests of the people. But these institutions have failed considerably to impart such values in students’ community.
There was a time when dissemination of knowledge from teachers to students was so effective and revered that knowledge transferred to students was influential in shaping the society generation after generation. Now, things have changed. Students have driven to become political activists and teacher political mentors at the cost of educating students for lives of public service and civic engagement, advancing knowledge through research, and creating leaders for various areas of the public service. Nowadays, students indulged in proxy protests and dharna to promote the ideals of their political patrons in power who often found to be corrupt and semi-literate which has a direct bearing on socio-economic development of the State.
With the world’s largest youth population of over 50% is below 25 years of age, India has emerged as a fine bright spot. This bright spot would have been turned into a sparkling star by driving the economy forward had the policymakers of the country channelized youth force properly in the direction of nation-building. But, sadly the bigoted leadership pushed the whole youth folk on the course of collision pitching one against another in the name of nationalism, religion, cast, and ideology just to gain the political mileage.
With general election is just around the corner, attempts are already underway to polarize India’s most populous and one of the communally volatile states Uttar Pradesh. The media report that some AMU students allegedly manhandle a female reporter on the campus followed by Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers’ protest is one such example that adds to inflamed electioneering in the
Over the past, a few years
Uttar Pradesh which hosts two prominent central universities named after the respective communities: Aligarh Muslim University and Banaras Hindu University should take the guard in cultivating liberal values and rational outlook in its students and youths at large. They together can steer
(The writer is a freelance journalist. He can be contacted at sallu8su@gmail.com)