Campus Politics Back

Aman Sood & Karam Parkash

The problem with politicians is that they expect too much of politics from students. And the problem with students is that they have no contemporary politicians to look up to. The widening aspiration gap has only spawned cynicism: we have student leaders who are expected to be heard only on campuses, outside, they are branded rightists, leftists or centrists. 

And if there is a gap of over three decades in holding elections to student bodies — like in the case of Punjab — one can imagine how unpredictable the events could turn out, given the circumstances under which the elections were discontinued. 

But that’s a fear about good news: the Punjab government has allowed student polls from 2018-19. What’s good in it? The first is the ruling Congress’ claim of fulfilling its promise; second is the state would finally follow what the Lyngdoh Committee has recommended; and the third — the most significant — is that these polls would take place when secessionists are all but forgotten, militancy is a sad chapter, and there is a strong feeling in the student as well as academic community to excel. 

The Tribune team gauges mood on the campuses at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) and Punjabi University, Patiala: 

Past remains tense

Amritsar: There is a severely knotted past from the mid-eighties up to the 90s and much later that needs a relook for GNDU, the state-run university, which will complete 50 years next year: 

The sudden banning of student polls eroded the base of the Left parties from colleges and the universities. Veteran communist leader Joginder Dyal recalls that Akali stalwart Gurcharan Singh Tohra had once emphasized ridding the universities and college off the Left-leaning groups. “In the mid-eighties until the ban, the student groups mostly allied with Left parties such as the All India Student Federation (AISF), Punjab Student Union (PSU) and Indian Student Federation (ISF). 

Two prominent leaders of the then student electoral politics Baldev Singh Maan, a resident of Bagga village in Ajnala border sub-division, and Tarn Taran’s Deepak Dhawan, a GNDU student, were gunned down by militants. Maan was brutally murdered and his severed head was left on a wall of his village school. Both belonged to the Students Federation of India (SFI).

After the militant movement penetrated the university and colleges, the government had put a blanket ban on the students’ electoral politics, says Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who had been state general secretary of the PSU from 1981 to 1990. He is now AAP Majha Zone in-charge.

The pro-BJP ABVP came in with the arrival of Mandal Commission report. 

Though out of college electoral politics, the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) had captured the attention of Sikh students. Its leaders had played a pivotal role in student and state politics. Most of these went on to join the mainstream parties like the SAD and Congress. These included Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Jagmeet Singh Brar, Amrik Singh, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Rajinder Singh Mehta and Harminder Singh Gill.

Potential danger

Former AISSF chief Rajinder Singh Mehta, who headed the group for about 13 years, is against reintroducing student politics. He poser: did the government receive any demand for holding the election? He says the government decision would divide the students on religious and ideological lines. 

“At grassroots level, the student politics is nothing but furthering the cause of established political families,” says AAP’s Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. 

At present the university has the following key issues to grapple with: 

Lack of Industry linkages: The students don’t get adequate exposure to the industry that demands skilled hands. Harjot Singh, a PhD scholar, says: “Most students have no idea about job-oriented opportunities. That’s the reason why many of them migrate aboard.” 

Financial emergency: The university has been facing acute financial shortage. There is also a need to improve infrastructure of some of the regional campuses. A few departments are facing problems in their functioning. 

Jaspal Singh, head of university financial studies, said: “We are not getting the required funds from the state government. Being a state university, we cannot raise fees.”

Permanent teaching staff: Various wings such as Punjabi, law and computer science departments have teachers kept on ad-hoc basis. Balwinder Singh, sectary, of the University Teachers Association, said: “Most permanent teachers are reaching their retirement.”

Administrative delay: In the administrative sector, heaps of pending files are affecting the working of the university. 

Vice Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu says the university is signing a number of MoUs to improve the industry linkages. “We have also signed a memorandum with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They will have an office on the campus.”

About financial emergency, he said the university has come into the UGC elite category. “There will be no dearth of funds. We shall look into other financial issues. We are also opening directorate of open and distance learning for all constituent colleges to attract students.” 

For administrative delay, the university is introducing a new file tracking system. “A file has to be cleared within two or three working days,” said the V-C. 

—Neeraj Bagga

Caution Ahead

Patiala: In 1992, Chandigarh allowed student elections and went on, in 1996, to permit “direct” polls in Panjab University. But Punjab inexplicably remained aloof. The essentially bureaucratic argument against permitting politics on campuses in Punjab got a major fillip in the wake of the assassination of then chief minister Beant Singh in 1995.

“This is a debatable decision. Many extremists have been visiting the university in Patiala. A close aide of a former terrorist is still putting up at the university. Once elections are scheduled, the politics will spoil university atmosphere,” says a serving professor. “I think government should rethink and first ensure that gangsters and politicians have the least say polls.” 

Terrorist groups have been closely linked to university hostels. But for that matter, many leaders who are top politicians now are also close to university polls. “It is a welcome step as the voice of students is not reaching the authorities. Elections will ensure that student issues are raised at the right platform,” says former head Punjabi University, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Navjit Singh Johal. “It will, however, be a challenge for the government and police to tackle violence and ensure free and fair polls,” he said. 

Key issues

Library Timings: Last month, a girl raised her voice against the timings of the library. The main library closes its gates for students at 8 pm. But, the reading room can be availed of 24 hours, but only for boys. Sandeep Singh angrily said, “This patriarchal mindset of the authorities is becoming a hindrance to the progressive society. Each student party has protested against it, but our requests have fallen on deaf ears.”

Hostel Seats: Only one hostel has been constructed in last one decade despite the fact that every year university initiates new courses, thereby, student intake has  increased. Therefore, new hostels must be constructed. By adjusting three to four students, in a room, meant for just two, the authorities are creating a non-academic environment for the students. 

Indolent administrative block: Most students complain that work at the administrative block moves at a snail’s pace. The lethargic staff has created a huge backlog. Sometimes, it takes months to get a single work done.

Hostel timings for girls: There is a long pending demand of extending the hostel timings. Currently, the hostel timing for girls in summer are 8 pm and 7 pm in winters. “We will get the timing extended if we are elected,” says Gurpreet Singh of PSU Lalkaar. 

— Aman Sood & Karam Parkash