Jayan Malpe
It is impossible to imagine the extent to which the student community may be influenced if politics, casteism and narrow-mindedness creeps into universities. The universities which have converted themselves into commercial centres by resorting to politics for selfish gains, have dealt a severe blow to our lives.
The recent developments in the Mangalore University known as Mangala Gangotri which is already stinking owing to such narrow-mindedness, casteism and dirty politics, has aroused much public interest. It is shameful to note that this university which had been able to retain a high standard of education in all the first grade college, medical and engineering college in DK, Udupi and Kodagu districts which come under its purview, is tainted.
The tragedy is that Mangalore University has always been in the forefront in resorting to caste politics and for harassing students and even teachers. Now the goondaism by some vested interests has spoilt the entire atmosphere of the university. If we take a look we will realize that this university of Mangalore has several scandals within it. Here one can recall that a Save Mangalore University Action Committee was formed on June 3,1988 under the convenorship of rationalist Narendra Nayak against the several scams that rocked this university. The committee had also submitted a memorandum to the governor seeking probe into the irregularities. Now the unnecessary protest against lecturer MP Umeshchandra is also a mirror to the horse trading of students. Education which should have helped the students to gain more knowledge and develop their personality, is today speaking the language of inequality. What university is this, what education, and what type of students are they?
Unless those instigating violence, those resorting to violence and those who are silent spectators to the violence come to the conclusion that ‘This is injustice ‘ and stand up against it, people like Umeshchandra will continue to suffer. “ Unity in diversity†“United Country†“ Rich Heritage†– all these seem mere empty slogans !
After all, what is the purpose of the agitation being carried out by some students of Mangalore University ?. Is it that the teachings of Budha,Basavanna and Ambedkar are indigestible to these students ?
If a Dalit lecturer speaks about self-respect, it makes the upper caste people red faced. They will be worried that a system that was prevalent since centuries, is being broken. Their arrogance and high handedness takes the shape of a protest.
May be such a stormy situation is inevitable for all movements for the cause of justice. But, why should the government, the guardian of the constitution and our police department which is a part of it, turn a blind eye and deaf ear to all this ? More importantly the responsibility is on the governor to see that there is no protest or the protest against the Dalit lecturer does not continue. The students protesting against the lecturer should at least feel sorry for the loopholes in the system or at least should have the fear of law. But one does not see any repentance on the part of the protesting students. But is it that a situation is arising wherein they even do not fear law ? Such questions arise on seeing the protest against Umeshchandra.
The Dalit community cannot sit with hands folded when such incidents take place right in front of its eyes. Let the protestors not forget that the Dalit student community along with progressive organizations will give a befitting reply if the agitation against lecturer MP Umeshchandra is not suspended.
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