GU is not JNU & there are no Kanhaiyas

The conflagration ignited by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issue, or the Rohith Vemula case before that, has not lit even a tiny spark among students in Goa. The student community in Goa has kept to itself, though a section criticized the event at JNU to praise terrorist Afzal Guru as ‘anti-national activity’.

Yet, no students union in Goa discussed the topic that otherwise triggered a major debate across the country and continues to remain on the boil. Political parties left no stone unturned to take mileage and in Goa too, its State units called for a special press conference to share their views on the case. But what disappointed was the silence at the university and colleges of Goa. The complete detachment from the subject was evident with the BJP-backed GU’s students’ council not even holding any discussion.

Former students recall the past agitations and protests on various issues concerning the welfare of the community. For example, the 50 percent bus ticket concession that students enjoy even today is thanks to a state-wide agitation launched by students in the 1970s. Some of those students are still leading activists today.

Today’s student leaders, aligned to political parties, however, feel the youth have the potential but are not encouraged to speak up. “I strongly believe that the youth of this country and specially Goa have a lot of potential to reason, to dissent, to debate and to have prudent discussions. However, in Goa, the student movement is not working to its potential. Educational institutions too should be instrumental in giving a push to the student movement,” National Students Union of India (NSUI) Secretary Hasiba Amin said in a conversation with Herald.

Recalling when she earlier, was the State NSUI President, Amin said that over the years student activism has been discouraged in Goa. “I blame the system for this,” she added.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarti Parishad (ABVP) feels students should overcome the Hanuman Complex (Hanuman did not know his own capabilities until he was told he could fly high) by realizing their strength. Its Konkan Region’s general secretary Amogh Arlekar stated that students at GU are not discouraged but are also not encouraged to take up discussions on topics either concerning the State or Nation.

“There is no awareness on issues which was there in the past. Students suffer from the Hanuman Complex. They should realize their own potential,” he said adding that the latest Union Budget should have been discussed which didn’t happen in Goa.

The renaissance of student activism appears to be a distant dream as burning issues such as the brutal Nirbhaya rape, rape of a seven-year-old Vasco student or political turmoil were not touched upon by educational institutes and GU. The discussion of other subjects like the Union or State Budget is also absent.

Arlekar stated that students are enthusiastic about hosting entertainment events but lack interest to gather students from across different colleges on serious issues. “It should not only be responsive but pro active,” he opined.

Amin seconded the view terming the pattern of elections at GU as ‘pathetic.’ She substantiated her claim explaining that in a direct election system, each student is directly involved in electing the President and members of council but in Goa it is otherwise. “It’s not very difficult for the political party in power to threaten, lure and use other means to get a majority on its side. The election is based on camps, money and politicians. It has nothing to do with student issues and their welfare. The winners then lie dormant for a year and do absolutely nothing. How can we encourage student activism when our system only functions as a means to crush the student movement?” she questioned.

Students Islamic Organization (SIO) Goa also maintains that student movements, by and large, depend on political affiliations. Whenever SIO attempts to reignite the force to fight against suppression and oppression of students and tackle ills of society they have failed to get positive response, SIO spokesperson Suheb Naik said.

“GU lacks the concept of critical thinking and liberal thoughts. Even the students lack the zeal to ponder upon issues and problems faced by society. Our institutes are more academic oriented than developing intellectuals as a whole,” he stated.

A part-time PhD student on campus Smita N said that students should be allowed to give representation in decision making bodies of educational institutions, as this would encourage activism. Similarly, a post-graduate student of English conceded that in recent years there hasn’t been much activity from student bodies.

“The unions barely indulge in any activities or persuade students to take up healthy discussions. Though there are seminars held on selective topics, the ambience is not lively as in the other universities,” he said.

The student community also feels that they lack a good mentor to convince authorities to hold debates on public platform rather than restricting it to campus discussions. “We don’t say students should take to the streets agitating on every issue, but engaging community in public forums will attract attention of the government. Issues not only concerning students’ welfare but also social causes where society is covered as a whole should be taken up. Unfortunately, no student group takes the initiative,” a final year student of computer science and technology said.

While students either fail or fear to come to the fore giving their opinion on related issues, the social media has played a major role to keep the issues alive. The NSUI secretary applauds the rise of student activism over social media. “I think the style of student activism also somewhere has changed with the generational shift and that too needs to be acknowledged,” Amin said.