WHY POLITICS IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS?

Shouting anti-nation slogans “Kashmir Ki Azadi Tak Jang rahegi” “Bharat tere tukde honge, inshah-allah, inshah-allah” triggered violence in the JNU campus and put a big question mark on the participation of students in Politics? We must not forget that student politics played a crucial role in the independence of our nation but its existence came into danger just after freedom. From then onwards, we see the old brains ruling our country with their obsolete and orthodox thinking. Young politicians can be counted on fingers today. Through this article, we will discuss why politics is important for students as well as nation. Though the Kerala High Court ordered that educational institutes have the right to prohibit political activities and it is surely not a violation of freedom of speech and expression.

How Students develop Political thinking in India:

I would like to share a story of boy who has just turned 18 and will vote for the first time:

Boy (Very excited): Dad, I will vote for BJP.

Dad: No, not at all. Our whole family votes for Congress every time. Also, BJP is a party of thieves. They don’t know how to run a government. They will lose this time.

Boy: But Dad, BJP has been winning all the elections! I will vote for BJP!

Dad: Then I am not going with you! You fool!

This is the scenario of an Indian family. Parents force their children to vote for a particular party thinking that he is not so intellectual and politics is not a cup of tea for them. So, rather students develop their own notion about the leaders and political parties, they are forced. The need of the hour is that students must be aware of political issues happening and must have a solid reason behind supporting a particular party. Due to this negligence, politicians easily target the youth and offer them money. If the youngsters vote by judging the development done by a government, I think then every vote will have a reason. Being politically aware is very important nowadays!

OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN:

Students of today are citizens of tomorrow. The priority and necessity of the time requires that they would be well educated and fully equipped to face the challenges of the competitive world. Active participation of students in politics may spoil their career and defeat the very purpose and aim of acquiring the highest possible education and knowledge before they join the battle of politics. “Politics is the game of government, is too big a game for a half developed mind of young men and women”, said an eminent thinker. Students generally proved a failure in the political game being played by the veteran politicians, because they don’t understand the check and balance tricks of the game. In many cases, they become exasperated and lose their patience and resort to violence and other crimes to prove their mettle. Student life is an excellent period for preparing themselves fully for the responsibility that they have to shoulder in future.

It does not mean that students should keep themselves totally aloof from the political situation of their surroundings. They must discuss and express their views freely without involving themselves in any controversy or activity as such involvement may cost their valuable time and energy.