Hooliganism at work places and undergrad extremism
Hooliganism
and extremism are twin elements in emotion packed entertainment of
comedy before a camera, when shot in the scorching sun. But, the end
result is tragedy to many. Such tragi-comedy entertainment is rampant
using trade union cover and university undergraduate organisation shadow
over the years. All such episodes are based on the theme - "The poisoned
poisons the other"-, a theme that does not express facets of any
practical vision. It's a complete departure from fundamental features of
humanity. It has no borders for illustration. Neither does it envisage
priority or strategy. It only provides a passage for self-styled
comedians to make an address from temporarily built podiums.
`Corrode confidence, erode excellence' is the monologue motto of
those who indulge in hooliganism and extremism using trade unions as a
shield and, student organisations as a cover to disrupt the smooth
functioning of a machinery. Such hooliganism and undergrad extremism are
allergy to actuality, reality, trust and confidence. They are blind to
the process of debate and dialogue. There's hardly any difference
between these two segments since extremism was born in this country in
the early 1970s.
Ragging and violence at universities have been a nagging problem for
decades. Hooliganism in the shade of trade unionism is a common feature.
Such chaos began from wounding words to end up with knives, clubs and
gunfire at their disposal.
Last week, the Kandy Chief Magistrate, Sumudu Premachandra released
on bail four engineering undergrads from the Peradeniya University
produced on charges of ragging freshers.
In a similar trend of dehumanised attitude, extremism has crept into
trade unions in an unprecedented manner with intimidation being used as
a preparatory tool against any authority over them. Such a list of
events are endless countrywide. Today, different `stakeholders' battle
administrations at different levels.
A nation cannot progress under threat or intimidation by fellow
citizens.
Neither any authority could forward resolutions to impracticable or
dead actions, actions without meaning or actions without content. Nor
could it allow the trashing of institutions and destruction of valuable
property or manpower hours. If conceded, it tantamount to a betrayal of
democratic ideals of a vibrant democracy of a nation.
After three decades of a prolonged terrorist war, the country cries
out for salvation. It yearns for development and the progress of the
quality of lives of the people, who have been threatened and dehumanised
by terrorists. The nation needs the acquisition of knowledge to produce
qualified personnel to conquer the scourge of poverty and
underdevelopment.
Undergrads have a responsibility in that respect and trade unions
must uphold discipline and decorum at workplaces. It is time we begin to
transform these two entities into centers of knowledge and production to
meet the goals of this country, having emerged from a torn past.
We have today reached a stage, that all our institutions, be it State
or private, need a practical mechanism set in motion, to produce human
resources much crucial and vital for reconstruction and development. If
not, we would never meet the basic needs and aspirations of all people.
The potential and energies at hand need to be directed towards the
national task of rebuilding the nation. It is only then we could address
any backlog of issues and problems at hand of undergrads and workers.
The time has come to convert hooliganism at workplaces into
professionalism and, transform extremism of undergrads into academic
excellence. Institutions, as entities need to get back to basics, to
engage in business and production. Undergrads must pursue higher
education with discipline and intelligence. The academic staff must also
commit themselves to teaching rather than challenging managements.
Because, struggles or confrontations between management and staff,
result in negative effects, falling on the needs of the working class.
In a democracy, higher educational institutes and workplaces are
bastions of dialogue and debate. A `give and take' policy of
understanding is an essential element for better progress. Only a
democratic participatory style or process could meaningfully contribute
to resolve outstanding or burning issues of the working class.
Intimidation or violence is no criteria of victory. They are tools of
cowardice. Undergrads are funded by the State. They habitually want the
Deliverer to deliver on demand. The vital question they must ask
themselves is - What will I do to build a better society and a nation
with all what I have gained free but, at the expense of the State?
Similarly, workers must question themselves about their contribution to
build an economically stable institution to benefit them and future
generations.
The country needs an educated generation of men and women and a
disciplined workforce to take it forward towards a better future.
Disorder should not be allowed to destroy monuments of democracy, the
system of governance and the future of man and nation. Hooliganism and
extremism need to be uprooted in all its forms. The nation cries for
salvation emerging from a torn past that has bled enough and more. A
sense of a shared destiny with understanding is the urgent need.
Democracy provides passage for freedom to debate merits and demerits
of all issues - burning or otherwise. Therefore, it is time to combat
hooliganism at places of work, and eliminate undergrad extremism to
usher a better future for the people of this country. |