Shrinking Democracy, witnesses student revolt

"Ham aman chahte haiñ magar zulm ke ḳhilaf
Agar jang lazmi hai to phir jañg hi sahi." 

- Sahir Ludhianvi

In the recent attacks physical, emotional, and ideological on the premiere institutes of the country i.e Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, and the Jawahar Lal Nehru University, have clearly stated the shrinking extent of democracy that was so far led by the Nehruvian and Gandhian idealogue of the nation. Resembling the protest and its grade at these universities reminds us of the similar condition prevailing in the United States in 1968 and France in 1968, wherein political activity failed to address the people's issue, and the main reason behind was the Vietnam war. It was the youth students — especially students at the universities and colleges — who first raised the voice of protest. They asked, why is the US fighting a war in distant Vietnam? Why are young Americans dying in the hundreds? The political system failed to provide satisfactory answers.

Students protesting against the CAA & NRC

The situation is very similar in India, where the youth have sensed that something is terribly wrong’ in the way the country is being governed. There were many sparks like the appointment of vice-chancellors with dubious credentials, unwarranted interference by governors/state, flawed appointments of teachers, mismanagement in the conduct of examinations, restrictions on student union activities, fee hikes, etc., etc.

One should never undermine the strength of youths studying in universities and colleges, as Smt. Indira Gandhi had to step down as JNU Chancellor, which she had continued to remain even after her defeat in the 1977 elections, amid the protest carried out by the then JNUSU president Sitaram Yechury. 

The Citizenship Amendment Act, which redefines the way migrants from three countries can become Indian citizens, linking to their religion deepened a sense of indifference among the youth of the country that sparked a miraculous protest and pierced decent among the masses. It is true that democracy and religion are being used as a tool for mass propaganda, they have turned out to shield against rationale and critical thinking, which seems ostensibly plausible in the contemporary context. True that although we can live without religion democracy has no alternative. 

Nehru, On being asked why he chose democracy for India?

He replied because it is the second-best form of Government. Further, on being asked what was the best form of government. He said it is yet to be invented, which left all jolted.

It's sad yet an unhappy beginning of the New year...