Do students ruin the education system or is education ruining them? Central university or central jail? Such questions crossed the minds of students who have come across the administrative staff of the Central University of Tamil Nadu at Thiruvarur for its bid to stifle the freedom of students.
"Remove the Facebook post and go to Pakistan,” said Prof S.Nagarajan, the dean of students, after he came to know that the students are not ‘silent’ anymore. Earlier too the same faculty member had made a similar remark when the students organised a bicycle rally on the campus against rising fuel prices.
Students can’t complain against the government while staying in India or else, he had reasoned, while asking the students to leave the country.
Dr. S. Bhuvaneswari, the registrar of the university, had issued a circular advising students not to indulge any ‘unauthorized activities against government policies’.
The recent tiff on campus follows the termination of the services of two contract faculties from the English department for allegedly violating the code of conduct, which is not explained well yet. In solidarity with the ousted employees, the students organised a 'human wall' on Thursday to denounce the fascist-like tendencies of the administration. Meanwhile, a bid to vandalise the artistic works and signature wall put up against fascism was prevented by students present at the spot.
The authorities are trying to intimidate the students who have shared social media posts in solidarity with the terminated faculty members. Two students were targeted for their Facebook posts and they were asked to remove them .The admin authorities also questioned the purpose of a study circle called Freedom Speakers which had no political agenda and affiliation.
Dr. N. Rajagopal, the proctor, told a student who was summoned by the dean that that he was shocked to see her Facebook post conveying the message that the CUTN students are celebrating Valentine’s Day and advised the student that ‘good students’ can’t celebrate it and shouldn’t post wrong.
“The summoned student was asked what was the motive behind marking Valentine’s Day on campus? The dean also recalled an incident elsewhere when a boy was reportedly harmed while Valentine’s Day was celebrated on campus. He also asked who would take the responsibility if a similar thing happened on the CUT campus. He also advised that political parties might resist the event and it was better to stop holding the event," the student revealed.
As per the university rule, no political party cannot be formed or function inside the university. However, the admin officials and faculty members were seen during the recent unveiling of a unit of a political party on campus. When asked about this, no member of the administrative department were ready to talk.
Targeting students for their activities on social media is not a new thing as other institutions too have resorted to it. But shouldn't educational institutions offer freedom of space for students to express their views and dissent peacefully?
The students of the English department, meanwhile, initiated an hunger strike on Friday afternoon in solidarity with the terminated faculty member. “Our demand is to revoke the termination," students said.
Many students from various department have gathered to extend their support.
(All the photos are sourced by the author)