The writing on the wall has been clear for a long time: Politics and politicians disrupt education in Indian colleges and universities and exploit students to promote their cause. These institutions are meant to produce students who will be leaders in their fields. These institutions are not meant for politicians to play their games and disrupt education. There are colleges in India that do not allow student unions based on political party affiliations. There are no protests, no violence and no budding leaders trying to brainwash young minds with selfish doctrines. The focus is on education. That’s what colleges are meant for. The drama unfolding at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in New Delhi is a perfect example of politics invading an education campus. Kanhaiya Kumar, president of the JNU Students’ Union, was arrested for protesting against the hanging of Afzal Guru, charged with attacking the Indian parliament. Kumar was accused of raising anti-India slogans. His parents allege he was arrested because of his Leftist leanings. Their son, his parents say, is a nationalist but does not subscribe to the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (BJP-RSS) doctrine.
Students protested against Kumar’s arrest and politicians descended on the campus. Police had to step in, as usual, and disband the unruly protesters. But what of education? Rewind to a few weeks ago. The same scenario. Research scholar Rohit Vemula, 25, was found hanging in a hostel room of the Central University of Hyderabad. Vemula, a Dalit, or a member of the oppressed class, was one of five students expelled from the hostel for clashing with the students’ wing of the ruling BJP. Vemula was frustrated because his fellowship funds amounting to about Dh8,000 had not been released. His death became a political tug-of-war. Vemula’s death and now the JNU drama. Time has come to ban politics from entering educational institutions in India.
