No unions in colleges of state’s biggest district Ludhiana to address students’ issues

Ludhiana district, one of the biggest district in Punjab and home to reputed educational institutions such as SCD Government College and Government College for Girls, lacks a strong student union to address students’ concerns.

According to president of the Punjab Students’ Union (PSU), student unions were active in districts like Sangrur, Ropar, Mansa, Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar, situation in Ludhiana remained indifferent. Despite efforts over the past three to four years by student leaders to initiate such movements, there had been little progress in this connection.

Talking to The Tribune, PSU president from Ropar, Ranvir Singh Kurar, termed it “unfortunate” that students in Ludhiana showed little interest in forming unions. “When the issue of handing over two leading government colleges of the city to private players surfaced, it was students who protested and compelled the government to roll back the proposal,” he recalled.

Kurar attributed the apathy partly to the changing mindset of faculty members. “Most teachers in government colleges today come from private universities that discourage student activism. In the 1980s and 1990s, many faculty members were former student leaders themselves and encouraged activism. Now, they believe unions disturb peace on campus,” he said.

He added that while student elections were banned in Punjab during militancy in 1983, some private efforts to form unions continued in a few districts of the state.

“The ongoing Senate issue at Panjab University shows the power of student unity. We want such awareness in Ludhiana too, but so far, we have failed,” he rued.

-----------------------------

Principal GCG speaks

Dr Sumanlata, Principal of Government College for Girls (GCG), said there was no demand from students to form a union. “Whenever there’s an issue, students come directly to me. I’ve never received any request to form a union. These girl students are not interested in such politics,” she said.

-----------------------------------------------

Principal SCD Government College on the trend

Gursharanjit Singh Sandhu, Principal of the SCD Government College said, “Student elections are banned across Punjab. Some self-styled unions operate outside the campus, mostly with political backing. The passion for collective action among students is missing. They’re more engaged with their cellphones. Many of our students come from modest backgrounds — their main focus is earning a degree rather than forming unions.”