Guwahati: Academicians across Assam on Tuesday strongly opposed the Centre’s handling of the JNU issue saying excessive use of state power in campuses is against basic constitutional rights and deeply undermines the very act of collective living.
Some also alleged that the BJP-led government wants to push back progressive and democratic voices. “I think this is an excessive use of state power in such a way as to imperil some of our basic constitutional rights.
The fact that many members of the faculty have come out in a demonstration of solidarity with the protesting students confirms that it is not a mere case of youthful adventurism,” eminent scholar-educationist Hiren Gohain told PTI.
The entire issue also brings to focus the issue of freedom of speech and thought, apart from the autonomy of the university, he added. “I think the government should retreat from its position gracefully and the ABVP should also concede the right of dissent,” said Gohain, a retired Gauhati University professor. Renowned poet and Tezpur University retired Pro-Vice Chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury said the idea of nation as a way of collective living should never be compromised and at the same time political opportunism at the campus vitiates the process of knowledge sharing. (PTI)
