Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Campus for education or politics?' that was published in Newsband

Campus for education or politics?

Is the Union government trying to create an atmosphere of fear among the students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University? What else could be the rationale for the police action then? The police swooped down on the campus, arrested students, and slapped charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy on them. They were punished mainly for indulging in “anti-national activities”. Kanhaiya Kumar, president of the JNU Students’ Union, who belongs to the All-India Students’ Federation, an organisation known to be affiliated to the CPI, was also arrested. An impression is sought to be created that Mr. Kumar and many other like-minded student activists in JNU are ‘anti-national’.  Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code makes sedition punishable with life imprisonment.

The JNU campus nurtures political opinion of all shades. The suicide of a scholar in the University of Hyderabad had created an upsurge against the ruling dispensation. And now Afzal Guru was commemorated by a handful of JNU students. This is undoubtedly an act of anti-nationalism.

The fundamental question is why the students unions of only a few universities like DU, JNU, UOH or BHU indulge in such controversies, while the remaining hundreds of other university students concentrate on their studies and research? The answer is simple. Every student union is backed by one or the other political party which provides the 'money and muscle' to create tensions now and then for their political gain. Let us remember that students unions are meant to demand the university administration their legitimate rights, and not to "step out" of their domain and indulge in national politics. It is high time that universities such as JNU which breeds radical be tamed.

Given the nature of developments at JNU, it is unfair to blame the Delhi police or the BJP Government for their actions. In the name of freedom of expression and fundamental rights our politicians have done enough damage to the country's peace and growth. There are many burning issues like poverty, illiteracy, corruption, rapes, health and farmer suicides plaguing the country which the student unions can take up with the Government rather than raking up sensitive issues like Kashmir, Religion and Caste. There are other more important issues instead of lighting candle and holding banners for a convicted terrorist (in UPA reign). If they are handful men who involved in this shameful act then let the police do its duty and stop crying for them.

There seems to be more sympathy for a terrorist than the victims of terrorist attacks. Has anyone in JNU protested against the killing of innocent persons by Afzal Guru and other terrorists?

Another thing is why isn't it alarming that the students are much interested in pursuing the political propaganda than in education? Has any word of caution been passed on to the students especially when they are clearly aligning themselves with anti-national elements and sympathising with them. They should not play with National security. Commemorating Afzal's hanging is antinational and punishable - whoever does it

Let us become a no nonsense Nation. There is no place for traitors here.