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Study on: Students and politics

Font size:Medowe CapfohThe Question of the participation of students in politics has evoked a lot of discussion and hadoften raised our brows. Much dust of controversy has been raised round the question whether or not students should take parts in politics. It is course, a very controversial but very interesting.Some people are of the opinion that politics must, under no circumstances be allowed to divertstudents’ attention from their studies. While others belief that it is necessary for students to takea very active parts in politics so that they may receive some training for the struggle that awaitsthem. The debate goes on between the students’ teachers, politicians and the well-wishers of students’ community. In spite of their best efforts, no satisfactory or convincing situation has sofar been found out yet.Till date, the problem has been approached principally from three points of view- theORTHODOX, the REVOLUTIONARY and the MODERATES and before we give our ownfinal decision, we must study and examine the comparative merits and the demerits of these threeviews. The relation of students with politics has, therefore, to be reviewed and determined in thelight of 21st Century conditions and the kind of society that we seek to establish in the country.According to Orthodox view, Politic is the last refuge of the scoundrel. It must be set aside at allcost as a forbidden fruit to the youths. The study of politic corrupt and coarsen the students’minds, disintegrate and degenerate his moral character and leads him to rush in where wise menfear to thread. It develops in him a love of worldly values, power and pelf, artificial and intrigue,struggle and strife. The student loses his touch with the higher and nobler ideas of life and become a mere time-serving opportunist. As his power of understanding are not mature enough,he is more easily misled into wrong alleys in politics. By taking an active part in politics, heneglects his fundamental duties of moral and intellectual advancement to which is pledged as astudent, an on account of his immature understanding and irresponsible sentimentalism doesmore harm than good to his country. He should therefore, have no concern with politics of thecountry and lead a life of single-minded devotion to studies.But, the people endowed with a revolutionary temper think of the matter altogether differently.According to them, Politics is one of the noblest gifts of the advancement of modern civilization;it is important part of the culture and education. T cut off from this new force in education is todeny democracy its true meaning and to a country her own best. Not only do the students need political knowledge but also practical training in this field as well. Otherwise the lack of proper knowledge and training of politics amounts to shelving the political training to indefinite timeand to uncertain hands.There is however, still another set of thinkers who take a moderate view of the situation. Theysuggest that full facilities should be given to the students to study and understand the prevailingcurrent of political life. It is a great folly to regard politics as foreign and forbidden subject tothem and thus to keep them in dark about the various fateful changes that are developing in their country and abroad. What the situation needs is not to deprive them of their interest in politics but to train them in the qualities of patient study and intelligent observation so that they may beenabled to express their interest in dignified and responsible ways. Political education should beimparted to them in their schools and colleges through debates, discussions and lectures. Every

effort should be made to benefit them physically, morally, intellectually for the service of their motherland. But so far as their active participation in political life is concerned, we must drawline. Political knowledge is good for them but not political agitation. Now, it is difficult to pronounce any verdict in favor of one or the other two points of views. Thegolden meaning could probably be the best way out. A student should take part in politics, but itshould not be an active participation. All activities are good if one remains within reasonablelimits. Students should, therefore, pay attention to their studies. They should at the same time,keep themselves informed about what is happening around them. They should not hesitate from jumping into politic if the situation threatens the unity or freedom of the society. Nevertheless, none of the following views expressed above by those three groups with variedmentality and ideology can be rejected point-blank. Each one of them has some grain of truth init. Politic may not be the last guiding force of human-life and there may a hundred other thingsthan those our politicians can dream of, nevertheless, Politics is not always the last resort of thescoundrel. It is also the first resort of men like Gandhi and Nehru. In the Modern world, politic plays a role of no minor significance. No doubt, the students are easily swept away by thesentimental aspects of politics and have little sense of responsibility. But for that it should befoolish to crush their interest in politics which is both natural and necessary.It is therefore, indispensable that a sound political education should be imparted to the students.They should be at the liberty to discuss and express their views on political matters, and a proper guidance which is at once wise and patriotic should be supplied to them at the hands of their parents, professors and politicians. The students of today are required to study the political problems not only of their own country but of the world at large. The students should therefore, be given every facility and full freedom to study the politics of their own as well as of the world.But so far as the students’ participation in active political affair is concerned,, we must, however, place some limits to it. Political knowledge is one thing and Political agitation is another. Theformer means intellectual advancement but the latter signifies their complete ruin. So long asthey study political problems from a detached and dispassionate point of view, there is no harm but the moment they throw themselves into the heat and dust of political agitation, they contractnumerous to their personal and national life. “Politics is that Game of Government,” says animminent thinker. “It is too big a game for the half-developed powers of young men andwomen. It requires for its fulfillment, a sound mind in a sound body. These could be attained inno hurry. They require cultivation and discipline. Do we not know and hear daily of strikesamong students and deadlocks of mental work as if Education is a commercial Manufacturersand students the self appointed Trustees of Intellectual Trade Unions?” Students whoseintellectual have not yet fully developed and who are still receiving lessons characters andcultures are immature. They cannot cope with the subtleties of political propagandas, and arelikely to do many things that are more harmful than helping themselves and to their nation.When their objectives are not achieved, they faced bitter frustration and weep over a spilt milk.Many young promising careers have been shipwrecked on the rock of practical politics.It is also true that a students’ active participation in politics affects his studies adversely anddefeats his aim of studentship very largely. They should never divert their attention from their studies. His primary duty is to equip himself physically, mentally and normally. There lies beforehim a vast store house of knowledge and learning and to own if he has to sweat during the dayand burn midnight oil. It has been said that Learning is Jealous Mistress. It does not allow us tothink of others things and claims our entire and absolute attention.Students of today are the citizens of tomorrow. The interest and the prosperity of the Country