What has happened in the university named after the first Prime Minister of Bharat is highly shameful and disgusting. This incident has not only shocked the nation but also damaged the very edifice of the JNU. Complete freedom to propagate and preach all kinds of thoughts has been the hallmark of this campus. But this incident has played a dirty game with this beautiful character. What kind of freedom is this? This is a real irony that slogans are being raised against the very nation we live in.
If JNU has to be a real centre of excellence in education, then it should get rid of such elements. Students join the institution to study and they are misguided in different direction. To correct the academic environment of JNU, we have to address the root causes of this incident. Who are secessionist elements that are misguiding the youth to raise slogan against the nation. Students are definitely at fault but the bigger culprits are the ones who are taking benefit of the reputation of the institution are pushing students on the wrong path. The JNU of 1990s and today is drastically different. The real difference is of growing materialist thinking among students.
The studies get crippled when the competition coupled with money and dreams get a colour of specific thinking. Frustration and anger dominate the young minds. JNU has to save students from this disturbance to maintain the academic atmosphere.
It is true that JNU has been a stronghold of Leftists. This does not mean promoting secession or diverting students from studies and career. Time is changing. Spread of technology, globalisation, and fast changing educational climate is the reality of this time. Is JNU in a position to cope with this changing situation? Are ideologies ready to accept these changing realities?
Prof Dr Tahir Hussain, School of Environmental Sciences (1998-2002), Prof of Geography & Environment Studies, Adigart University, Ethiopia
