Students and Politics.

Much controversy has been raised round the question. Whether or not the students should take part in politics. Some people opine that politics must not be allowed to divert the students from their studies. Some others, on the contrary to it. Believe that it is necessary for students to take a very active part in politics. It will enable them to receive some training to face, the struggle that awaits them. In this connection, we may look behind. During the days of non-cooperation movement. The students participation in politics was deemed to be synonymous with their interest in the welfare of their country. But now the conditions are changed. We are no longer a slave nation. Our goal of complete independence has been achieved. Hence politics today does not mean to us a struggle with foreign rule instead. 

It is a science of planning for national welfare besides the organization of individuals into a nation for the preservation of their safety, peace and prosperity. The relation of students with politics has therefore, to be reviewed and decided in the light of modern conditions. The problem has been approached principally from these points of view-the orthodox. The revolutionary and the moderate. Let us examine these views one by one. According to the orthodox view. Politics has become the last refuge of the scoundrels. Participation in politics corrupts the student’s mind. It develops in him a love of worldly values. Power and pelf-artificiality and intrigue. Struggle and strife. Since he is only a youth, his powers of understanding and judgement are not enough mature. So, he is more easily misled into wrong alleys in politics. 

The people with a revolutionary temper of mind. Opine that, politics is one of the noblest gifts of the advancement of modern human knowledge. In a free country, under the conditions of modern civilization. Politics is an integral part of culture and education. It is college where they should learn about it. To cut students off from this new force in education, is to deny democracy its true meaning. Some other thinkers take a moderate view of the situation. They suggest that political education should be imparted to them in their schools and colleges through debates, discussions and lectures. But so far as their active participation in political life is concerned. They should be kept away from it. It is suggested that political education should be Imparted to the students. Schools and colleges should provide them with full facilities for acquiring an accurate and intimate knowledge of all the leading political questions of their country. 

They should be at liberty to discuss and express their views on political matters. And a wise and patriotic guidance should be supplied to them by their parents, professors and politicians. They should study political problems not only of their own country but of the whole world as a major event in one country affects not only the adjacent countries. But the whole continent, sometimes even  the world. Politics should not be treated as a forbidden fruit otherwise. It would allure the students more and more. They would try to taste it stealthily in some or the other way. Again, they have to bear the great burden when they come of their age.