University crisis :

Violence not the answer

Forty years ago in the disciplined days of university life, the famous Sinhala pop music group of the four brothers from the same family called - The Dharmaratne Brothers which comprised Maxwell, Milroy, Ronald and Christy composed a popular song called `Varsity Kollo', an ever green hit between the lips of all university students at parties and functions. They proudly sang that song and the chorus read- Naveena panne gathi guna apata thiyenne, Kesara Sinhayo api varsity kollo. Those lyrics gave pride of our university students of that era. In contrast, as extremism crept into university life after 1971, tragedy befell all universities and, no longer we could speak proud of our university students to describe them in entirety as `Kesara Sinhayo'.

Vulture extremism

It was only a fortnight ago, we described in this column the vulture extremism that exist in our universities. With no time lost, the Kelaniya University ran into a state of chaos last Wednesday, when two student groups clashed causing extensive damage to university property. A number of students were also injured during those ugly clashes. The Vice Chancellor of the Kelaniya University, Prof. Sarath Amunugama was forced to suspend all academic activities indefinitely. University education is disrupted by these extremist elements often, and an invisible arm of extremist politics seems to be the cause. It is time for the State and law enforcement authorities to bring an end to this nonsense which affects the future of this country.

Sri Lanka is a Third World nation, which funds both university and students who seek university education, despite all economic problems in this strife-torn atmosphere caused by a three decade old terrorist war. Many of those who enter universities come from homes which are just above the poverty line. Therefore, the free education system of the State is offered to prevent that insuperable obstacle that would deny young talented people from poor homes gaining access to higher education. All governments, past and present, view higher education as being central to development of both the individual and the society. The aim is to create a winning nation with a literate community.

A government delivers funds within the available scope of resources for free education.

At times, or more often, the allocation or the quantum could be visibly inadequate as defence expenditure takes precedence during times of war. Budget cuts are usually enforced during war period and, many other social sectors too face cuts and not only free education. Therefore, university students have no right or obligation to be vexed, angry or to express anger in the way they would choose that may harm, or cause damage to state property and the lives of fellow students and the academic staff.

Violence at universities by extremist student groups hinder the smooth educational process of the majority of students. Those politically painted extremist student groups are self-proclaimed `rebels' who indulge in violence for causes that could be resolved through discussion. After causing immense damage to universities and the future of other students, these `rebels' turn `saints' once they obtain lucrative employment having gained everything free during education. How many of our university dropouts would ask themselves-" What have I contributed to my country from the free education system that made me literate?".

Discipline at our universities has deteriorated to unimaginable levels with ragging and abuse of `freshers' turned into a nagging problem. If and when the administration intervened to stop or curb ragging, the senior students of universities clashed with the administrative staff.

In addition, all violent protests and demonstrations that affect the normal life of the public are inspired and backed by a political arm which practises extreme politics under the guise of socialism. Socialism does not practise violent methods to fight inequality. It is a decent process which calls for the transformation to dignify human values.

During the past two years, our undergrads and university dropouts have behaved in public in an unbecoming manner of the educated class. Once they converged opposite the University Grants Commission at Ward Place shouting slogans in abusive language attempting to break through the barriers erected for security reasons. Thousands of the public, especially who came to see the hospitalised kith and kin were inconvenienced by that dastardly action of the undergrads. That happened during the visiting hours of the Colombo National Hospital, a location that houses the Accident Ward, Dental Institute and the Eye Hospital.

Last year, graduates from the Tharuna Aruna group thronged the city of Colombo for several days. Having flocked opposite the Sri Lanka Telecom in Fort, a road leading to the `President's House', they brought the traffic and transport system to a complete grind. The State had no alternative but to invite the Police to maintain law and order. The unruly students who dispersed after a tear gas attack, returned the next day to cause inconvenience to the normal life of the working class. After the police dealt with them in a stern manner, they chose a different venue. But, the violent agitation continued for some time.

Undergrads must accept the corollary that university students belong to the literate class of our society. It is a fact that they do face problems at universities as there are many shortcomings due to financial constraints. But such problems ought to be resolved through discussion and not by violent means. They must also realise that they live in a nation which was torn by terrorism for three decades. Another pertinent question that arise is - Why only members of a particular student group resort to such violent type of protests? What about similar problems faced by members of other student groups? This is where that invisible political arm comes to play the extremist game.

Invisible political arm

That invisible political arm plays a major role in organizing strikes in the state sector. The aim is to gain political advantage of the crisis situation in the country at present. All such actions bring misery to normal life.Therefore, the State and law enforcement authorities must bring a halt to such type of anti-social activity.

A country cannot march forward with an arrogant and extreme band of university students who believe in extremism and destruction. They should not be allowed to hold universities to ransom to achieve their extremist ends.

These elements have even insulted the founder of the Peradeniya University, Sir Ivor Jennings. They defaced his plaque and threw it away last year as preparations were under way to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the university.

It demonstrated that they have no respect even for the man who mooted the idea for that Campus, to pave the path for higher education for them. So, now it is time to end such extremism and nonsense.