SHILLONG: As Universities in the country have become a centre for politics in recent times, Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said that it is time that political parties should not be allowed to influence on the affairs of the university or college campuses.
His statement came in view of the recent violent incidents which recently broke out in prestigious universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia University
“There are agitations in many of the universities across the country. The violence which is taking place in the campuses is the handiwork of some people who are affiliated with some political parties,” Rymbui told reporters on Tuesday.
He also observed that it is a very sad thing that the temple of knowledge is being used by somebody rightly or wrongly on issues which are not related with the affairs and development of the students.
“You may agree or disagree with my observation. But it is a reality that some people who are affiliated with political parties are involved in campus management, campus administration or campus politics. The political parties should be asked to leave the university or college campuses. The educational institutions should focus on imparting knowledge and grooming the young minds in nation building,” the Minister said.
According to him, the central government rules permit people who are teaching in the central universities to get involved in politics.
“This could be the root cause for the unprecedented violence which is taking place in the prestigious universities of the country. It is time that we take a conscious decision to leave the educational institutions since it is not a place for politicking,” he observed.
According to him, there are numerous platforms to fight for the right or expose the wrong. “But this kind of issues should be kept away from college and university campuses,” Rymbui said.
Edu policy against politics
He informed that the government has already mentioned in the Meghalaya Education Policy that steps should be taken to ensure that teachers are not involved in politics.
“We are taking steps to implement whatever is there in the policy. Ultimately it is the decision of the Government when and how to implement this provision of the policy,” Rymbui said.
He also said the government will issue necessary directive in this connection as and when the rules and regulations based on the policy are framed.
