Goa University has been the center of discussions lately, but more for negative stories than the positive ones. The university is the pride of Goa and was started after much difficulties.
After Liberation, Goa did not have its own university, and a Centre for Post-Graduate Instruction and Research (CPIR) which functioned under the University of Bombay was the lone educational institution that offered post-graduate education in the State. The centre’s classes were run in the modest Sushila Building located in Panaji.
In the June 1985, Goa University was established when Pratapsingh Rane was the chief minister. In the beginning, the university did not even have its own place to run classes. The university’s postgraduate classes were held in a building where the OPD of Goa Medical College now functions. Eventually, the University’s own building and campus came into existence at Taleigao. The administrative division of the University was the first to move into the main building in January 1990. The university’s current advanced status was developed slowly and steadily over many years.
Goa University’s history is not that old and so, the institution has work cut out for it to script history by raising and maintaining its standard. However, the recent incidents do not help the motto. The elections of student councils held in the university draw attention every year, and so do the elections which take plane in other colleges all over the country. But Goa University was far away from the malpractices which take place in other national institutions. The elections in Goa University were largely peaceful, and in the first few years, one would not even know that the polls were being held.
Unfortunately, the university seems to have slightly derailed from the tracks in recent times. Usually, the disputes would stay limited between two student organisations but this year the students’ misconduct extended to threatening the professors and some students. The reason behind the incident in question will come to light in time. The campus elections were due in August but the university postponed them due to some dispute between the students. One student and his supporters were trying hard for the campus elections to be held sooner, which led to the student threatening the University staff. This student reportedly barged into the office of Director of Students Welfare and threatened him and the students. If sources are to be believed, the student also spit in the direction of the Director which is viciously wrong. The students simply cannot behave in such an unruly manner.
A complaint was filed with the university administration regarding the incident but no action has yet been taken. As it happens, some of the students even blocked the vehicle of the professor. The Goa University Teachers Association (GUTA) then took a united stand against the students and also against the perceived inaction from the university’s administration. At last, the incident reached the police who warned the students and closed the matter temporarily after the student apologised to the staff. Thankfully, the case did not escalate, but, in the first place, it should not have occurred.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, affiliated to RSS, and National Students’ Union of India, a student wing of Indian National Congress, are two student unions active in Goa University. Both the unions try to dominate each other, which leads to such disputes. NSUI has accused that since ABVP is associated with BJP, the ruling party, no action is taken against the student body even if a complaint is filed. The inaction by the university despite the professor himself complaining proves that the varsity is under pressure. NSUI has also demanded that ABVP be banned from the university’s premises. If NSUI’s allegations hold any truth, then these allegations need to be inspected and corrective measures must be taken. If such incidents continue to occur in the University, then students will hesitate to take admissions. Ofcourse, the campus elections are important as students learn about democracy first-hand. Many students after leading student unions have done well in State as well as national politics. Therefore, these elections act as a form of training, but they should be devoid of any controversies.
