One wonders whether our media-savvy academics and scholars, self-proclaimed saviours of secular values, have ever realised the need to get their universities evaluated on the criterion Nehru had laid down
During these initial years of 21st century, public discourse and media attention on Indian universities has mainly been confined to quality deterioration, inappropriate placement of individuals in leadership position, non-recruitment of academics, lack of resources, loss of institutional credibility, absence of decent ranking in global evaluation of institutions of higher learning and, of course, the university politics. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the most well-funded and patronised ‘national’ university, has hogged the limelight for various reasons, often other than academic contributions. These days, its focus has shifted to azadi that its slogan-shouting brigade has redefined for the nation.
One recalls an oft-repeated quote of Jawaharlal Nehru on universities: “A university stands for humanism, for reason, for the adventure of ideas and for the search of truth. It stands for the onward march of the human race towards even higher objectives. If the universities discharge their duty adequately, then it is well with the nation and people.”
One wonders whether the media-savvy academics and scholars, self-proclaimed saviours of secular values, have ever realised the need to get their universities evaluated on the criterion set forth before them by Pandit Nehru. It is well known amongst academics and scholars that JNU grew up under the influence of a strong political bias and ideological compulsions. Instead of moving ahead on a path of creating a platform for scholars and knowledgeable of all shades, it, unhesitatingly selected a narrow path, which made it impossible to provide opportunities to those who do not think ‘alike’ even for interactive opportunities with their own adored luminaries.
No futuristic institution committed to imparting knowledge and discovering new knowledge would bar the entry of the achievers, thinkers, scholars and academics that may have different philosophical and ideological orientation. If communist leaders Sitaram Yechury or Prakash Karat is welcome to address students within the JNU campus, there ought to be no fuss about an invitation to Baba Ramdev or Subramanian Swamy.
In fact, one would wish to see them together on the same platform. Why should JNU or Delhi University (DU) not invite Taslima Nasreen or Tarek Fateh and listen to themIJ There can be no better place for such dialogues than a national university of which every Indian would like to be proud of! The people expect a leadership role from major national universities on practically every aspect of growth, progress and development. After all, the basic purpose of gaining knowledge and discovering new knowledge is to use it in human welfare. Research institutions are now seen with immense respect even by those who may not comprehend their contributions in totality but are aware of their sincerity and commitment.
JNU came into public discourse mainly for its colleges dealing with social sciences, particularly history. It created a homogeneous group of historians who would just not permit even a mention of the theories they did not subscribe to. The Aryan invasion theory is just one illustrative example. There is enough evidence at least to mention that a different view-point exists. The historians would not permit even that in textbooks! People have reason to believe that this rigidity and exclusivism is part of political affiliations and compulsions. There is no evidence of even an inclination to bring the two schools of thoughts together. The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and the Indian History Congress remained under the hegemony of some of these luminaries. The coterie consisted of the beneficiaries of their largesse that flows from official patronage in terms of coveted postings and perks.
Now that things have changed at the political level, as they should in a democratic set-up, the loss of paradise for the select few is, indeed, disturbing. That is why, their only defence comes from clutching to familiar terms like ‘saffronisation’. It helps the ‘secularists’ whenever they find themselves on a weak wicket. After all they are responsible for the present situation, as they opted for self-centered and ideologically constrained approach all along, 1970 onwards. They are reaping the fruits of their own sowing.
Nationalism and patriotism cannot be defined separately for Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir.
leading universities have a responsibility to study how hurtful to the nation as a whole are the slogans of azadi for Kashmir, or Bastar now. Imagine the hurt inflicted on the families of the martyrs. It is indeed shocking to claim that these slogans shouters-in JNU were outsiders. Then comes the ridiculous explanation: ‘Oh, we meant azadi from hunger, poverty and misery!’ Who would believe itIJ All that is happening in J&K for the last over two decades, cannot be blamed, by any stretch of imagination, only on the present Union Government.
Should our leading universities not debate the statements of people like Farooq Abdullah and the dynasty that ruled over J&K for three generations, ad which is now a frustrated lotIJ Why should there not be a purely academic discussion on social, cultural and religious aspects of issues like triple talaq and polygamy etcIJ
Which other institution, other than the likes of DU, JNU, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, is better placed and suited for informed, intellectual and visionary deliberations on national issues that impact the religious amity and social cohesion in the Indian societyIJ Instead of high-level intellectual discourse, the universities are wasting their time on petty issues that could be resolved in-house within hours.
We need authentic reports from independent sources how State Governments open new universities to score brownie points and starve them of resources from day one! There are serious issues concerning the quality of education being delivered by private universities, most of which are keener about dividends than any of the quality consideration. Is is not astonishing that thousands of qualified young persons are waiting for teaching jobs but archaic recruitment procedures have created a condition of non recruitment by even most of the central universitiesIJ
One would like to see JNU or DU, or both together, propose a visionary yet pragmatic educational model that would help the cause of promoting national integration, social cohesion and religious amity.
(The writer is former director of NCERT)