Power of student activism in shaping history

Ranjit Powar

Psychologist

EVER since institutes of higher education came into existence, they have served as crucibles for forging of new thoughts, ideologies and as catalysts for social and political change. Youth is by its very nature imbued with physical and emotional energy and a bravado which eggs them on to take on the formidable State. Student activism all over the world has changed the course of history and left an inspiration for the later generation of students. Commonly associated with the Left-wing ideology, right-wing student movements have been very common too. China, Hong Kong, United States, Germany, France, Argentina, Australia, Congo, Bangladesh and so on, there is hardly a country on the globe that has not been affected by student activism. Regardless of the degree of immediate success student protests might have achieved in achieving their goals, many of them triggered waves of activism or unrest, which ever way one might look at it, and could in no way be ignored or blocked out by the establishments. They had to sit up and take notice, and many a time, rethink and reframe policies.

Student activism has played a major role in the modern Chinese history. The student protest for democracy in Tiananmen Square, China, 1989, triggered a nationwide chain of protests for ending government repression. Though it ended in unleashing a brutal and tragic massacre by the government, it continues to serve as an inspiring example for student activists all over the world.

The Velvet Revolution started in the same year in Prague, Czechoslovakia, when the students took out an anti-communism rally against a totalitarian government. They were attacked by the riot police, gravely injuring 167 of them. But rather than suppress the student movement, it resulted in unifying people against the government tyranny and seventy five per cent of the nation went on a partial strike the next day. The series of protests succeeded in bringing down the communist regime and introducing democratic elections in 1990.

Student activism in Congo in 1969 pushed the country towards decolonisation of higher education and national independence, attaining a fair amount of success.

In 1942, students from the University of Munich, formed a resistance group by the name of White Rose to resist the Nazi atrocities. The group leaders were eventually tried and executed, but managed to awaken many others to stand up against an evil regime.

Fifty per cent of India’s population is under 25 years of age. There are approximately 20 million students enrolled in Indian universities and colleges. All these students are literate and aware of what is happening in the country at any time. Social media keeps them constantly updated about every trending event, political and social issue, helping them to form well-informed opinion and a perspective about government policies and legalities in the light of the Constitution and a larger worldview. Given the passion and enthusiasm of the youth, their beliefs and opinions tend to be fired with hyper emotionalism which is difficult to contain. It must be expressed, and expressed strongly. They find strength in numbers and solidarity and an unspoilt belief in idealism.

In India, the history of student activism through political and social consciousness takes us back to the Young Bengal movement in the Hindu College (now Presidency College), West Bengal, in the year 1830. It was a movement for liberty, equality and fraternity and against religious bigotry. It was started by a poet named Henry Vivian Derozio and was quickly picked up by various colleges in Bengal. Students from across the country joined Gandhi’s Non-

Co-operation Movement of 1920, and later the Quit India Movement.

The anti-Mandal stir against quota by students started in Delhi University and spread all over the country, resulting in incidents of self-immolation and suicide by many students.

The protest by Jawaharlal Nehru University students in 2016 against the execution of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri separatist, is only too recent and became the reason for a country-wide debate. There was an anti-Hindi movement in 1965 in Tamil Nadu, a Re-construction movement (Navnirman Andolan) in Ahmedabad in 1974 and the JP movement in Bihar the same year, to name a few.

Politically aware and socially conscious students cannot be expected to remain mute spectators to perceived injustice and hegemony. An education system which does not qualify them to question and challenge the existing theories and policies is useless and must be questioned for its own validity. To justify one’s education, it is imperative for all educated persons to understand, analyse issues and take a rational perspective. Should they be penalised if their perspective is contrary to that of the government? We need to revisit the concept of a democratic republic here. Is it possible to restrain student anger and dissent through force? History tells us otherwise.

Today, the Indian establishment is being questioned by a major portion of its youth again about the justice and fairness of its policies in view of our Constitution. More and more students are raising their voice despite the tear gas and lathi charges. Their voices are too loud and too strong to be muted. The government must listen before its social fabric is ripped apart. It must realise that the students do not stand in isolation. Behind each student stands a supportive family and circle of friends. Let not student activism be viewed as a challenge to institutional authority alone. In a democracy, it is imperative to listen to and give credence to the views of the emerging voices, of those who will shape the future of this country.

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