Violence in universities strongly condemned

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Prof. Sarath Amunugama

It was Weerasuriya, an undergraduate of the University of Peradeniya who was the first student to be murdered in an incident involving the university students of the country in the post- independence era in 1976.

From that incident onwards, from time to time the university system underwent a series of violent incidents in the 1980s, 1990s and in the first decade of the 21st century; the worst period was in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

From Weerasuriya to Susantha Bandara of the Ruhunu University who was killed recently, a number of students have died within the university system from causes as varied as inhuman ragging, clashes between student groups holding different political views or due to violent protests against the administration of the university or the government in power.

There had been many approaches by different governments to curb violence in universities. Although some universities and faculties through their own efforts have put a stop to these violent acts within the universities, some universities are still struggling to come out with a viable solution.

Violent protests, damage to State properties and clashes with law enforcement authorities have become a daily occurrence within the university system. The violent behaviour of students has resulted in indefinite closure of universities disrupting the education of thousands of students.

The most alarming development is violent students attacking Vice Chancellors of universities and intimidating them with death threats. According to observers, the pattern of violence reported in these universities is leading to a very serious situation.

As Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said recently, a mere 2,000 students are holding the future of more than 78,000 university students to ransom by engaging in these violent activities in universities and the law of the country should be applied to university students who are unruly.

According to statistics, the Government is spending over Rs. 16 billion on universities in the country; an average of Rs. 250,000 per student annually. The expenditure on the Medical and Engineering Faculties are much higher than the average expenditure.

The Sunday Observer interviewed a cross-section of the university community and professionals to obtain their views on violence in the university system.

Colombo University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama said that the present situation in universities has been created by a certain group of students to disrupt education and the conducive environment in universities.

“This is very unfair when we consider the future of the majority of students studying in universities. It is the right of every university student to pursue education without hindrance as they have been provided free education by the universities. There should be a conducive environment for students to pursue their education,” she said.

Continuous dialogues

Prof. Hirimburegama said the university administration should have continuous dialogues with students. However, the parents should also maintain a close rapport with their children. The university administration and parents should work closely to prevent such incidents taking place in universities in future.

The universities also come under the country’s law. Therefore, law and order should be maintained within the universities as well. If any student attempts to go against the law and resort to unlawful activities, they should be punished in accordance with the country’s law. The students who resort to various unlawful acts disturb the free education rights of the majority of students.

“Under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, our Armed Forces could unite the country after 30 years by defeating terrorism. Therefore, the universities should also effectively contribute to national development. I believe that if the students do their studies properly, their rights will be guaranteed to them,” she said.

Kelaniya University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarath Amunugama said these violent activities in universities are well organised with a clear agenda. However offering solutions to individuals would not be a correct move to overcome this situation.

There should be a system to look into the discipline of university students, he said.

Steps should be taken to prevent inhuman ragging conducted on the freshers by the senior students. They impose severe restrictions and conditions on newcomers. Sometimes, freshers can’t even say hello to academics and clarify a point. We have appointed academic counsellors to help the students, he said.

“Some student groups have caused severe damage to hostels and properties in universities. Why are these students so destructive? We should get rid of these unlawful activities taking place in universities”, Prof. Amunugama said.

Asanka Bulegoda, the Convenor of the Inter University Students Centre said that the priority of university students is to study and not create violence in universities.

He said that the Inter University Students Federation, the proxy of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, is acting outrageous within the university system to cover up its political bankruptcy and it is trying to do petty politics over the dead bodies of university students.

“They are creating violence in universities to achieve their political end, forcing the students to resort to violence”, Bulegoda said.

He said the Inter University Students Centre was formed as an alternative to the Inter University Students Federation which forced the students to disrupt the smooth functioning of the university system.

No violence

Asanka Bulegoda

He said that the Inter University Students Centre has secured control of the Student Councils of the Jaffna Eastern, North Western and Jayawardenepura Universities and the Institute of Higher National Diploma in Engineering in Mattakkuliya against the Inter University Students Federation.

“We also accept the fact that there are administrative and physical resources discrepancies within the university system.

We are also for struggles and protests to sort out those problems, but not in a violent manner. Violent struggles are not the means of resolving those problems”, he said.

None of the violent acts carried out by the Inter University Students Federation of the Peradeniya University, Ruhuna or Rajarata were aimed at resolving the matters relating to problems of university students.

“Those incidents were instigated, purely with political motives as the JVP is aware that they are rapidly losing their political grip over the university students and also among the masses”, he said.

They have reached their political bankruptcy to the extent of assaulting innocent female university students, to forcibly keep these students with them.

The 12 students of the Peradeniya University and the 16 from the Rajarata University are behind bars not due to any struggles they had launched to resolve administrative problems in the universities, but purely due to other reasons.

“We, as former members of the Inter University Students Federation are aware that all these incidents have been instigated by the JVP to disrupt university education”, he said.

He said the Inter University students Federation consists of the Socialist Students Union, the Student Wing of the JVP. Many of the Federation’s convenors have become members of Parliament and Provincial Councillors representing the JVP.

“We strongly believe that those who are not within the university system should not be allowed to control university students and push them for unwanted violent struggles. The student unions should comprise only students who are undergoing their education in universities”, he said.

Former Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe said that there are two sides to the problem that has arisen within the university system. “Students have their problems. Sometimes, they overreact and they are also aggressive by nature. Lack of leadership also results in this type of situation.

“On the other hand, there are lapses in the administration of these universities. They should also look into these problems. But I don’t justify violence as a means to resolve these problems.

“There are ways to resolve problems within the university system. We need to be more intellectual in solving these issues. I should say both parties should be lenient in resolving matters. At the universities we have to teach students that there are ways and means to solve these problems.

University system

“They can have discussions, arguments and they can put solutions across to resolve these matters. The management of the universities also should not wait till the students bring these problems to the administration. They have to look into those matters before those problems become worse.

“We have to condemn violence within the university system. I condemn any attack on Vice Chancellors of universities. They are like the ‘Disapamok’ in the ancient education system. They have to be respected.

“My view is that university students, as the generation who is to take over the leadership of this country, should involve themselves in politics, but they must not resort to violent politics.

“Any student can have his or her own political ideas within the university system.

We cannot isolate the university system from the outside society because we are living in a highly politicised society and universities are no exception. There is nothing wrong in university students being involved in politics as the universities are the breeding ground for our future leaders and politicians.

“But their politics should be based on discussions, arguments and legal means, and not in violence. They can engage in protests, that is good. But the sad thing is that they have gone out of control when resorting to violence”.