Historically and currently, student activism in Mumbai has been close to the bottom, whereas universities in other states are known for being epicenters of political activism.
It has long been a mystery as to why, in comparison to other Indian states, students of Maharashtra and the young generation are largely regarded as “Apolitical” and have strayed away from politics. Mumbai is a city of bread earners. It serves as India’s de facto commercial center and draws immigrants from all around the country.
It is assumed that this unconcerned attitude toward politics is caused by their primary preoccupation, capitalism. The author attempts to comprehend student politics, the causes influencing them, how they originated in India, and the reasons why students in the financial capital lack political knowledge.
Student Activism
Student activism, also known as student politics, advocates for political, social, and civil rights reforms. Student groups express their views on societal growth, development, and change. Some student demonstrations are directed at the internal matters of a particular institution, while others are directed at bigger issues, like political problems and mass movements.
Student activism began in India in the second half of the 19th century. It existed even before independence and was a huge part of the freedom movement. Numerous students showed their support and revolted through movements like the Swadeshi Movement (1905-08) protesting against the partition of Bengal by the Viceroy of India. Similar levels of involvement were observed in the Non-cooperation Movement (1920-22). Student participation was a tool for independence struggle and remained an instrument for the newborn nation too.
The political involvement of students is influenced by their socioeconomic and familial circumstances. Factors such as education, gender, religion, financial standing, the media, the size of the city, and the clan can impact one’s political outlook. According to numerous studies, a person’s family and place of school have a big influence. These can instill strong political attitudes and beliefs in a child—or anyone, for that matter. It is also impacted by society’s perception and awareness of class privilege, which supports the underlying revolutionary ideals. Politics at the municipal and federal levels may be impacted by student action.
Due to the existence of the parliament and other significant political bodies, Delhi has more politically engaged students than Mumbai. Young people are also interested in politics because of the close linkages between the political system and its educational institutions.
Maharashtra’s History Of Campus Politics
In Maharashtra, the Student’s Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the communist party of India- Marxist, ruled university politics in 1970. Later, when other political parties acquired popularity in the state, this predominance began to wane. Maharashtra’s campus politics experienced its biggest expansion during the decade from 1990 to 2000.
Former student leaders, who are now well-known political figures in the state, including Raj Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis, and Nitin Gadkari, began their careers as student leaders. Political culture at Maharashtra universities is believed to have shifted following the tragic murder of a student activist.
Statewide Crackdown On Campus Elections
In 1989, Maharashtra depoliticized Student Union Elections in response to the murder of the District President of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) Owen D’Souza, a first-year law student at a prestigious Mumbai college. Outside the institution, the victim was repeatedly stabbed before being gruesomely murdered and mutilated, displaying the attacker’s fury.
It was said that D’Souza’s murder was the result of political rivalry. During the same time, there were various national protests on the Ramjanmabhoomi and Mandal disputes, spurring university activism in Maharashtra.
In 1994, Maharashtra restricted university politics as a result of this tragic situation. This marked the conclusion of the violent, kidnapping, and homicidal college elections that took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Additionally, the use of posters, leaflets, and banners was also prohibited under the ban.
This action was performed to demonstrate how campus politics not only contributed to violence on campuses and in society at large, but also had an impact on local and national politics, as well as the standard of education. The Maharashtra state law that outlaws student politics on campuses is one of the major factors contributing to the lack of political involvement among young people in Mumbai.
Constitutional Justification
The Indian Constitution’s Art.19 (1) (a) and 19 (1) (c), which guarantee freedom of speech and expression, associations, and unions, are allegedly violated by this prohibition, according to the students. A place of learning is regarded to be a gathering place where individuals can assemble and discuss society and daily life.
Students and young people in Maharashtra have been prohibited from engaging in political activism for three complete generations due to this prohibition, which was put into place roughly 25 years ago. As a result, they are unable to understand the importance of political expression.
The judiciary of the nation is aware of the detrimental effects of politics on educational institutions, and in the case of Sojan Francis v. M. G. University (2003), decided by the Kerala High Court, the court ruled that fundamental rights are not absolute but qualified and that higher educational institutions have the right to preserve order and discipline, including the right to restrict political activism on campus without infringing the rights granted by article 19 (1) (a) and 19 (1) (c) of the Constitution.
Reforms To Campus Politics
After several demands, the Student Council Education (SCE) in Maharashtra universities is to be back after the Congress party Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan 2014 decided to organize elections. This decision was further taken forward by the BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis based on the recommendations of the Lyngdoh committee and included student elections in Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016.
The Lyngdoh committee was formed in 2006 under the direction of the country’s apex court and was headed by former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh. The committee recommended rules for student elections and advised against campus-based political parties, money, and force interfering with Student Union Elections (SUE). The Supreme Court approved this recommendation, and the Maharashtra Legislative Council reviewed it.
Nearly 25 years after the decision to uphold the ban on college elections, the government gazette published the election regulations on October 26, 2018. The election regulations are known as the ‘Code of Conduct.’ This Code of Conduct featured guidelines for preventing “groupism”; the prohibition of hate speech and forbidding the usage of symbols/logos/images associated with political parties, including those representing religion, caste, and other categories. The election will be taken place without any political intervention or affiliation.
In contrast to DUSU’s indirect election process, elections under this act will be decided by direct voting. Class Representatives, Presidents, Secretaries, and Lady Representatives will be chosen by the students, and these individuals will subsequently come together to create the college’s Student Council. In 2019, following the changes, student elections were held in 11 state universities and affiliated colleges across Maharashtra.
Author’s Opinion
Despite lifting the ban in the State, student elections continue to be prohibited at prestigious institutes and universities including Mumbai University and affiliated colleges. The restrictions continue to contribute to the decline in young leadership and political engagement among Mumbai’s youth and students.
Students’ interest in politics and elections must be stimulated without infringing on their fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution, as doing so will enable them to address student-related issues like fee spikes and attract the attention of authorities.
Additionally, they must be provided the opportunity to bring in new leaders from the younger generation, as participation in university elections is a gateway to local, state, and federal politics. Every student movement must be continued without violating the law through violent acts, causing harm to the academic environment, or jeopardizing societal harmony.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are personal.
The featured image is for representational purposes only.