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| Sunday, 17 November 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Fallout of the Sri Jayawardenapura Fracas : Terror politics and higher education By Anjana Gamage and Jayanthi Liyanage The brutal and needless killing of a student of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, allegedly by a group of its own students, kindles many questions in its aftermath. One, is the vacuum in student psychology where there should be inner discipline and social responsibility which naturally comes with higher learning and intellectual growth. Secondly, the highly-alarming revelation that Universities have become an enlisting ground for political parties by means of the degrading psychological blackmail called the "ragging." As an independent student leader recently expressed, where is the tolerance for those holding ideologies alternative to what is regarded as "the status quo" which increasingly breeds "mob politics" in the country's social institutions? While an individual's fundamental rights allow him individual ideologies, coercively using them in agendas of political parties to the extent of subjugating the dignity of individuality is deplorable. Attention has also been drawn to the need of stronger disciplinary powers for University Authorities, closer relations between Academic staff and students to deal with their many hardships and the need of a national policy to ensure economic security after university education. How do we change the perception of a "slaughter house" and cultivate liberal academic traditions in Universities in an atmosphere of free discussion, replacing tyranny? The question may remain unanswered until solutions are found for the existing impass. For as Prof. Leslie Gunasekera, Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, points out the University by-laws provides as far as possible natural justice to an accused student by allowing him to cross-examine the students who give evidence at the inquiry. "No student fearing for his life would ever give evidence against an accused, and there have been cases where the University Councils used their disciplinary powers, but lost the case when it was referred to Courts." He adds that normal law and University law cannot be linked and we should treat these as specific cases to be dealt with by the University Council, with privileges to do so. However it is more difficult to introduce new laws as each University is unique and a blanket rule cannot be applied for all. One must also be sensitive to the economic and other hardships of University students who have no proper residence or food. Many feel university education should be linked to a government policy which ensures employment for graduates when they leave the University. Prof. K. Thillekeratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Kelaniya points out that violence which occurred at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura is nothing new, as for quite some time, violence has been around Universities, in schools and between schools. He attributed the violence at this University to the Student Council elections which are generally held a few months after the freshers arrive. Vigorous campaigning by different student factions are often conducted to win as many freshers as possible over to one's own side. In doing so, conflicts arise. Meanwhile Prof. Ranjit Senaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, attributes the Sri Jayawardenapura incident to "terror politics" which prevents students from having a close link with their teachers. Currently, only student leaders have rapport with students. He assured that he will work for a stronger interface between teachers and students by assigning one academic staff member to each group of 10-15 students. In Sri Lanka, while there are so many challenges of globalisation to involve students, because of their indiscipline, time is wasted in fire-fighting and the Universities are fast becoming intellectually arid. The best way to maintain law and order as pointed out by Prof. Laxman
Ratnayake, Acting Chairman, University Grants Commission, is to apply the
full extent of the law which penalises a student found guilty of ragging
with seven years of imprisonment. Eight steps to prevent mob violence -Dr. D. S. Epitawatta, Vice Chancellor of Sri Jaywardenepura University has submitted the following proposal in order to prevent mob violence in the universities in the future: 1. Establish a Police Post near the main entrance to the university. 2. Appoint an Assistant Superintendent of Police to be directly in charge of the security of universities so that the university adminstration could directly contact him in case of an emergency. 3. Re-introduce the university security system and appoint security inspectors and guards according to the requirement of universities. 4. Deans and Heads of Departments of Universities be directly responsible for student discipline within the faculties and departments. 5. Make arrangements to enforce the common law of the land in the universities. 6. No hostels to be constructed close to the universities. Alternatives to be considered instead. 7. Establish a system where teacher/student relations could be maintained continuously. 8. All lecturers to be recruited in future be given a short training on
student counselling. "Social system has deteriorated" Leader of the Opposition, Mahinda Rajapaksha. The J'pura tragedy shows just how much our entire social system has deteriorated. Ven. Weltwitage Soratha Thera, VC of Vidyalankara University once said University students should be revolutionists which is quite right as at University level, students should study politics. But that does not mean they have a right to behave in such a socially irresponsible manner and we should take a strong stand against it. Years ago, at 21, a student had already graduated from the University. Now until about 28 years, he has to drag on his period of study and students of certain streams such as the Arts have no guarantee about future employment. All this may have a frustrating and detrimental effect on student
psychology. I feel that the University administration too cannot exercise
much power where students are concerned. Disrupting university system Education Minister: Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku The identity of the organisation behind the murderous attack was never a secret to the general public. The action of some of the SJU members now confirmed this. It is this same organisation which has been continuously resorting to propaganda and dissemination of baseless fabrications that the government is considering privatising of State Universities and curtailing free education. The aim of these extremists is to disrupt the whole university system.
They want to create yet another dark age in the university system as they
did in 1971 and 1988-89. "Universities should refrain from violence" The Convenor of the Inter University Student Federation: Ravindra Mudalige "No one can separate politics from Universities. Politics was in the university system since its inception. Many of the politicians entered into politics through universities. But those involved in political activities in Universities should refrain from violence. But during the past couple of months, there were many violent incidents in universities. The IUSF has logged many complaints with the police stations. (i.e: Matara Police- 39, Kelaniya 19, Cinnamon Gardens and Mirihana police stations as well) The government did not take any action on those complaints and the police have, to date, not inquired into the complaints. The IUSF are against ragging. Instead, we introduced many orientation programmes to the university system some time ago. This is the first time a university student was murdered by a fellow student inside the university premises. IUSF thoroughly condemn the brutal killing. We request the authorities
to bring the culprits to book and give them the maximum punishment." "Never heard Student Councils openly opposing ragging" Prof. Leslie Gunasekera, Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya. "Ragging can be stopped only by students themselves as it is the first year students who get ragged by seniors today, who will rag the freshers of tomorrow and perpetuate the practice. In my tenure here, I have never heard Student Councils openly opposing ragging and there is an overall tacit approval of ragging in the university sub-culture. The Anti-Ragging Bill passed in 1998 after Varaprakash died subsequent to a ragging incident has not been very effective and I feel that rather than regulations and legislation, creating a conducive and understanding environment in the Universities could bring better results. At our University, by not giving in to undue student demands and
encouraging their dialogue with the Academic staff, we have been able to
diffuse volatile situations and minimise physical ragging. But we cannot
prevent verbal abuse." Violence is multi-faceted and deep-rooted Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna. We totally condemn this kind of cold blooded slaying of one student by other students, as at a University, we expect a clash of brains, not brawns. They should also be free to practice different political ideologies and have tolerance for those with opposing views and should not try to silence them. The scourge of violence in Universities is multi-faceted and deep-rooted and is not easy for the Senate and the Universities alone to handle. It needs a concentrated, long-term and holistic approach from the UGC,
the Ministry, other professional bodies, clergy, parents and alumni - they
are all stake holders. Tough new laws soon Minister of Tertiary Education and Training Kabir Hashim assured that several proposals to prevent university violence would be presented to the anti- violence parliamentary group after the meeting of Vice-Chancellors on December 7. The minister who had a recent meeting with all vice chancellors, deans of Faculties, registrars and officials of the University Grants Commission (UGC) was of the view that tough new laws would be introduced soon to end the politics of violence in Universities. "But we have not come to a final decision. Politics is a part of the university. I have asked for a full report from the Vice Chancellors. We are looking for public opinion as well. They can send their views on this matter to the Ministry Secretary. All the views and suggestions will be discussed at the Vice Chancellors' meeting and the new proposals would be put to the anti-violence parliamentary group and the consultative committee before the draft bill is presented in parliament," the minister explained. The Minister was of the view that unauthorised unions should be banned from the Universities and alleged that the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) is an illegal association which is mainly backed by the JVP. |
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