STUDENTS AND POLITICS1 he importance to learn and engage in politics in practical life cannot be overlooked. Sofor the involvement of students in politics is concerned it has been a topic of greatcontroversy amongst the intellectuals. The question is whether the students be allowed totake part in politics or not. There are different kinds of opinions. Some people say that thestudents under no circumstances be permitted to engage in political activities and so ruintheir academic career. While others are of the opinion that the students must take active part in the politics so that to receive t) necessary training which is required for practicalstruggle in future. The following schools of thought have their separate view-pointregarding the issue.The orthodox approached the issue with the contention that politics is the last resort of ascoundrel. It corrupts the student's mind and degrades his moral character. It engenders inhim a love for mundane life and debases his noble thought. By diverting his attentiontowards politics he forgets his actual duty of moral development and intellectual uplift towhich he is pledged as a student. He should therefore be strictly forbidden to be indulgedin the politics. He should merely concentrate upon his study with full zeal and devotion.According to the revolutionary school of thought politics is one of the essential andnoblest gifts of modern human knowledge. In an independent country it is anindispensable part of culture and civilization. Detaching the students from politics in aneducational institution is tantamount to annihilation of democracy while true democracydemands the involvement of each and every375The Study of Educationclass of people in the politics. So depriving the students to take part in politics is just toweaken the very function of the political system of the country which is in no wayrecommended. V Now let us consider the view-point of moderate school of thought who thinks andsuggests that adequate facilities should be available to students in order to study the political background of the world in general and their country in particular. Thinking the politics a forbidden tree will be a great folly because the students, as an important part of elite class, should keep themselves abreast with what is happening around them. Theyshould be well acquired with the changes that are developing in their country and abroad.However their participation in practical politics should be discouraged. They should beimparted political education in their schools and colleges through debates, discussion or lectures. Their theoretical involvement in politics is extremely necessary for them buttheir practical indulgence can never recommended.
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