There is a thin dividing line between the restlessness of hate mongers and unrest resulting from oppression of rights on the campus; the result is the sporadic chaos as being witnessed now.

The question rattled me a bit as one of the three young men travelling in the metro asked during their discussion on the happenings in the Ramjas College and JNU. Several inquisitive eyes turned towards them but before some more could join their hot topic, the trio had reached their destination. The three were deeply involved in the discussion as could be guessed from their animated body language even as the metro continued with its onward journey irrespective of who was doing what or who was saying what. From the brief discussion of the three college going students it was clear that none was in favour of the pro -aazadi, Burhan Wani or Naxal slogans; they detested kanhaiya and Umer Kahlid-type-politics but at the same time they were angry against police action against the students and wanted the seminar to be held.

 Apparently there seemed to be contradiction in their thought process. This was the view of some riders who picked up on the topic. Most of them were categorical that there should not be anti-national activities including sloganeering anywhere and least of all in the campus. One middle aged woman did condemn politicians for trying to “ruin” the atmosphere in the campuses. She was feeling threatened by all this as she feared that her son studying in a DU college may get “infected” with the bug of dharnas and protests. No doubt, the Ramjas happenings have once again brought the focus on the debate of what is nationalism and anti-nationalism.

The broader and general definition of nationalism for any nation and its people is very much enshrined in the constitution. It is a deep sense of feeling for one’s own country that should make any citizen truthfully devoted to the character of nation, to uphold the unity and the integrity and to follow laws and all accompanying duties. Nationalism is a matter of pride and love, devotion and brotherhood, service and valor. The makers of our Constitution took great pains in binding together a diverse set of minds, lands, cultures into an amalgam called India believing that all individuals will ultimately be treated equal. Perhaps, they could not have fathomed the fact that one day the Nationalism they are enshrining will become a matter of tussle among groups.     

When the pro azaadi, pro terrorists and pro Pakistan slogans were raised inside JNU campus, lot of hue and cry followed. Politicians like Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Sitaram Yechury and many others made a bee-line to the campus in favour of Kanhiya, Umer Khalid, Sehla Masood who were being accused of facilitating the anti-country sentiment in the campus. Though the matter is subjudice, the episode only added to the confusion as to what is nationalism and who is a nationalist. Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, Sitaram Yechury are not anti-nationals. But the question that is being asked is why did the politicians go to the campus and by doing this did they inadvertently endorse the other “view” by standing with Kanhaiya or Umer Khalid? A similar type of situation is sought to be created in the DU campus which remained largely unaffected during the JNU row. Why is the same set of politicians again indulging in the campus politics?   

Certainly, the seminar in Ramjas College was only a seminar on the topic of Culture of protests. Apparently nothing seems to be wrong with this but the fact that one of the invited guest speakers was Umer Khalid, the “shaded” student from JNU who is accused of supporting and organizing anti-India protests and pro-terrorist acts in JNU. Even though the case is subjudice but the public verdict is obvious. The college administration, after bowing to the pressure, had cancelled Umer’s speech. But by then it was too late. ABVP presumed the topic being a trophy but not for long as all others have now jumped in the fray.

Student politics has always formed a very fermenting ground for any thinker. Chanakaya launched his mission from the University of Taxila. During the freedom struggle, campuses had become a hot bed of nationalistic movement. But in present times, India is a sovereign nation governed by Constitution which was written by a team led by a visionary like Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Constitution does guarantee freedom of speech. Dissent is essential but not at the cost of country. The way politicians, right, left or anyone are going about the campus issues portend danger to the society.