'Varsity politics, Yes but... no violence

Crises arise in our universities every now and then. To many the politicization is the underlying cause. Here are the views expressed by former university don and academic, Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe and JVP MP, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

How do you see university students' involvement in politics?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe - Former Vice Chancellor of Sri Jayewardenepura University of Sri Lanka / Director General, National Institute of Education:

That has been there for quite a long time. I think the current 'crisis' is partly due to this politicisation. But there are more important factors as well. I have experience for over 35 years in the universities as an academic as well as a student. I believe students should get involved in politics. University means gaining the universal knowledge. So, if some students are interested in politics, then they should take part in politics. Students have full freedom to do so. Those are part and parcel of a university life. But too much involvement can damage their studies. That should be kept in mind.

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe - Former Vice Chancellor of Sri Jayewardenepura University of Sri Lanka / Director General, National Institute of Education

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: University students must participate in politics - as they are educated and matured people. Such independent approaches are necessary for the political culture of the country where we mostly see people entering politics with an equal family background. This has obstructed the country's forward march. New people with independent ideas and thoughts must enter in to active politics. It is required for the all-sector development of the country. University students' active participation in politics is essential in this backdrop.

What difference do you see in the past and the present situations?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe: Now the students have become bit more violent. When people find that they cannot get things done properly and peacefully, they resort to violence. University education means gaining the universal knowledge.

So, if some students are interested in politics then they should take part in politics. I can remember, my friend late Prof. Osmand Jayarathne once told me that when he was a temporary lecturer he was chased out of the University for taking part in a May Day rally. Those days, May Day was not a holiday.

Students were involved in politics even in those days. But violence was not so widespread like today. They were not selfish.

They strongly believed in an ideology. But today along with the problems the students face, they think by getting linked up with a powerful political party they can fulfil their targets.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: There is a difference. University is not an isolated institute. It also reflects the changes and 'dramas' of the common society we live in. It cannot exist like that. Universities are a cross section of our society.

Massive irregularities started taking place in the society after the open economy invaded our culture and our society. University has no escape as it is part and parcel of the society. All these misshapes are reflected in the university system as well.

The changes we see in the University system consist both plus and minus points. There is a huge difference between the knowledge levels of the world and our university system.

This gap creates a knowledge thirst among the students. They are compelled to fulfil this requirement even from resources external to the University.

Don't you think intense politicisation of the University system is a massive obstruction for its proper functioning?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe: Well it is, I would say. But we have to understand sources for these rising as well. I would say University students, under these circumstances are under 'frustration'.

So when we are dealing with them at a point their frustrations would also erupt. If these children's perception is that they have no future and only hope is going after a politician it is difficult to stop these things.

Their basic requirements should be fulfilled to make them focus on their studies. I believe we are just scratching the surface of the problem. But this does not mean that students are correct all the time. They have to fulfil their duty as well by concentrating on their studies.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: Not at all. These student activities through student unions are healthy approaches. Tutors of universities do not have any other bond with students except for giving lectures.

In such scenario it is important for students to have togetherness. When these youth enter universities they become very independent - even from their parents. Many arrive from very rural villages.

As such, some guidance is essential and students' unions can play a leading role there. If such control does not take place we would hear worst news from the universities - much worse than what we hear.

What factors contribute to such chaos?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe: The biggest problem students are facing, as I see, is that they do not see a future other than students of a few professional degree courses like medicine, engineering etc.

Students do not see any purpose in continuing higher studies. Unless the economy expands a Government or the private sector cannot create job opportunities. 90% of the students entering campus are either pressurized from the parents, relations or their community. They spend couple of years in the campus and at the end when they have to return home without a job they feel it as a social stigma.

This can be a good breeding ground for politicians. These young university students are energetic and can be easily motivated. I would say almost all the political parties do this.

Some have failed but some militant political parties have taken a significant number of students. To answer this problem, the other aspect is, the teaching methodologies and curriculum in the campuses need to change as well. If we can make the students think that there is a purpose in their efforts politicians will have no chance to intervene.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: Personal experiences are a major cause for many students to come in to politics. On the other hand ideologies to change the present social context which is unjustifiable and disparities with what is happening now also lead students intervening in politics.

But again looking back we can see many students get involved in politics mainly due to some of their personal experiences. The life of university students are going through is very pathetic at times.

They are facing a huge problem in finding accommodation - hostels, insufficient number of tutors, lack of equipment and facilities and many more. These challenges they encounter daily would definitely lead them to intervene in politics in order to find an answer.

The discussions and debates taking place in the society on economic and social irregularities, unwanted foreign interventions and all that flow in to their sphere as well.

It is natural for those who are interested to intervene in such issues. This is also a reason for the students to enter in to politics. But this is not a negative approach. It should not be looked in to in such manner.

For whatever reasons, many university students have become highly politicised and it results in closing universities. Frequently, pausing university education slows down producing graduates to the country. Don't you agree it has a negative impact on the country's future? How do you comment on this?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe: It is true. But under the current circumstances what service can a graduate contribute him or herself? The impact to the society is minimum.

We need to produce a productive graduate. Unless that is done and we need to address the main causes that can trigger agitation among the students.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: As there is a delay in producing graduates to the society a similar issue also comes in to play as many of these graduates face unemployment.

Accelerated flow of graduates into the society is not a positive step, all the time. The society only sees the conflicts taking place within the universities. Many a time the reason behind all these agitations does not get proper attention.

If someone thinks that politics is the reason behind, it is totally false. Some capitalist political parties tend to intervene misusing such instances. We accept that we also have a transparent student action inside campuses. It is very disciplined and we can assure it.

Do social differences between the students play a major role in creating disturbing situations causing strikes and agitations?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe: I do not think so. That should deter students getting together. If it so it would be difficult for the students to come on to a common cause. This can cause a counter reaction. Yet I do not think this a major factor.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: Well so far there isn't any sociological study on that. Yes they come from many different social levels and classes. Yet there is one similarity. Their education levels and innovative thinking.

What ever the differences they are facing those are not so severe leading to conflicts and agitations. It is a similar consequence we see in the society.

We often see those student activists change their ideologies once they come out of the university, as they gain power and money. Why cannot they stick to their former ideologies?

Prof. Jagath Wickramasinghe: This is a common factor in the third world. We are living in two worlds. Our inner world and outer world. Most of the youth also fall into this category.

Sometimes they would think they should become militant and radical to get the attention of others. But when they go out to the world they see a different surrounding.

One needs to make money and try to maintain a certain social status. That is why it happens. A person has a right to change. If these changes are on selfish reasons, then that is wrong.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake: A university student when inside the university one can not treat him or her as an isolated element. They also have their target and they struggle together to achieve them.

Yes some withdraw from this track when they pass out from the University. Reason is when they are inside the society they have to struggle alone. They get burdened with personal duties and responsibilities. It becomes a different challenge for them. This happens to some of them and not for all. It is a common sight in the society as well.